Flowers on the Lake

Beginnings

According to the host of the event, Judge Echo Hutson (County Court at Law #4), the idea of Flowers on the Lake came about in 2020, during COVID. They had to practice social distancing, so they came up with the idea of having an event outdoors. “The park had just opened,” said Judge Hutson, “so I called Judge Jimmy Edwards, who runs the Montgomery County Veteran’s Commission, and called the Mayor of Conroe, and asked them if we could hold the event at the park, and they said yes!” That year, the event was not open to the public. They invited elected officials and first responders and did a web broadcast to include the public. People really seemed to love it, so the following year, they opened it up to everyone.

Preparation begins the day before the event when the flowers (purple carnations) arrive at the MCWC. “We use purple carnations because they represent strength and resilience,” said Judge Hutson, “which characterizes the victims as survivors, and purple is the color of Domestic Violence Awareness.” At least 10-15 volunteers come together for half the day, to help cut and prepare the flowers. Cutting the flowers is a process because besides cutting each stem, each flower has to be individually opened. “This is very symbolic because as we open the flowers, we discover the different shades of purple; it is like revealing the different layers of a person,” said Judge Hutson. The flowers are then chilled and stored overnight. It takes several hours to finish cutting and opening the flowers; therefore, they are very thankful for the volunteers and committee members that come out to help. All costs are covered through donations.

The Ceremony

On the day of the event, the ceremony starts with a meet and greet, followed by a welcome message and heartfelt appreciation for everyone that helps put this event together. “We invite and recognize all first responders, elected officials, medical personnel, and anyone who works with domestic violence victims in the community. Then, the committee members hand out pins for Domestic Violence Awareness. We have prayer and pledges, introduce the speakers, and they speak briefly about Domestic Violence and Awareness. Overall, the event only lasts about 30 minutes. “We keep it short because it is such a heavy topic,” said Judge Hutson. At the end of the ceremony, every participant is given a carnation to place on the lake in memory of, or in support of victims or survivors of domestic violence, and for those that suffer in silence. The Montgomery County Veteran’s Memorial Commission provides golf carts for anyone with mobility issues needing assistance. We also have volunteer photographers.

The Big Picture

Judge Hutson stated they encourage community participation, but they also want to bring awareness, so people can understand domestic violence is not always what they may think or imagine it to be. It doesn’t follow a script, and it can affect people in all walks of life, and at any age…it doesn’t discriminate. “It involves human behavior. It can be learned behavior; it can be learned as a child with family, or it can be learned in a relationship and carried over to the next relationship, it’s one of those things that develop. A person may start off in a loving relationship that suddenly turns toxic. It can happen over a long period of time, or it can quickly become dangerous,” said Judge Hutson. Trying to get those conversations started can be really hard because for those who have experienced it, talking about it can be very triggering and dark. As the event comes to an end, it is a time for silence and reflection. The sun is setting, the water fountains are on, the lights are reflecting on the lake as the flowers are placed in the water. “It is just a beautiful sight,” said Judge Hutson. “For everyone present, it’s a meaningful and powerful ceremony filled with a great deal of emotion and hope.”

“There is a psychological wellness in contributing to a cause,” said Judge Hutson. “That feeling of having contributed leaves you with a lighter heart.”

“That first year when I started, there was no specialization for domestic violence in the district attorney’s office in Montgomery County. I came from El Paso where we had a robust Domestic Violence Division. We had prosecutors in every court. We worked with Law Enforcement. I wanted to start a division like that here,” said Judge Hutson. Since being sworn into office in 2023, Judge Hutson’s docket handles specialized Domestic Violence and Mental Health Treatment Courts. “The victims we work with are people in our community,” said Judge Hutson. “I wanted to do something to honor them and let them know people care.”

In 2023, law enforcement agencies across Texas reported 247,896 incidents of family violence (Texas DPS). In the last 5 years, Montgomery County alone reported 20 domestic violence murders, stressing the severe and often fatal outcomes of intimate partner violence (Texas Council on Family Violence). In 2024, MCWC served 1,243 victims that accessed emergency shelter, and 2,791 survivors received advocacy and accompaniment during hospital visits or court appearances.

According to Melanie Jackman, MCWC Community Engagement Strategist, who has been with the organization for the past 10 years, “The numbers are staggering. They are the reason this event is so important, and why we come together as a community to walk alongside victims and survivors in support and solidarity.”