If Roses Could Talk

I opened the back door to let the dog outside. Before returning inside, my eyes glimpsed a flash of color, tinges of pink in the midst of jungle-green raspberry bushes. On closer inspection, creamy center, petals edged with ribbons of coral pink, unfurling in the middle of rambling bushes. How can this be? Husband forgot to trim this section of garden. Announcing its presence in early morning dawn, birds singing the world awake, I stooped down and inhaled the rich fragrant scent. Hypethral bloom, against all odds, triumphant entry into beautiful. This double-delight flower, Rose Festival award-winning bush I bought many years ago on expert advice, weathered storm of neglect, postured itself against crowding bushes and staked its claim of rightful place in my garden. Perseverance, roots that dig deep, grace unfolding. I did not expect to see a single petal on my double-delight. And trudging through season of pain, uncertainty, wondering why the Kardashians were on the cover of People, doubts clashed against my journal of gifts, now tattered around corners, a joyful tatter. Hope grew thin as a sliver. And I did not let on to my husband that I feared for the plant, for my favorite summer flower. Retrieving red shears, I cut long thorny stem, carried it into the house and  placed it in a crystal vase. Max Lucado said: "Plant a word of love heart-deep in a person's life, nurture it with a smile and a prayer, and watch what happens." Glancing at the single flower, I pondered what this rose bush would say if it could talk. Truth evolving in daily routine, in gardens, in schools and work. Syllables clanging, soaring with validity, growing stronger with meaning because if this rose could really converse I know what it would say.

"You're planting roots heart-deep. That is why you noticed me, why your eyes caught mine in sea of green. I was but one face in a thousand, yet with laser vision you saw the beautiful." Like a kiss from heaven, a hymn, this rose told me what I needed to hear. Watch in the ordinary, thank you planted on lips, it is enough for now.