When my grandmother passed away I got some of her plants (she loved African violets and Cattleya orchids, and she was very good at growing them). I got some of her prized ones, including her big Cattleya orchid she managed to keep going long after they are said to live. I also got the giant white calla lily from her funeral. I was so excited when I got them to bloom with lots of flowers on them. The violet African violet I got from her started blooming with two different shades of violet. My first thought was I can't wait to tell Grandma! Then I would remember I can't, and the whole reason I have the plants in the first place. Unfortunately over the years I ended up losing all of them for different reasons, including a cat that would not let my calla lily alone. I would leave for the weekend and come back to find the whole plant pulled out of the pot and laying on the floor. The lily couldn't take the shock of being uprooted and repotted every week and finally gave up. I completely felt like I let Grandma down.
Some day when I have my own place, and therefor room-I will replace the orchids and flowers I lost, but they won't be the same as the original ones.