…..A rose. Ha! You thought I’d say a Memoir book. Well, I’ll surprise you and say no, a Memoir book would be second to a rose. A couple of Christmas’s ago, my Nan gifted me the most beautiful bright pink, scented rose. I planted it at the entrance to our home and appreciated its bloom now and again amongst the other florals within our garden. However, I never imagined how much I would cherish it, and the profound impact it would have on my life after she was gone.
Rushing out the door on a typical work day, it stops me dead in my tracks, sitting there lazily with a glow that I can’t even describe. It’s like her presence is there with me, wishing me well on the hours ahead.
To reference the famous idiom, “Stop and smell the roses.” I pause, smell the rose and linger there for a second to appreciate its empathetic beauty. Time slows down and reminds me to be present and ‘live’ in that moment.
It’s allure catches my eye through the window, and entices me to walk outside and smell it, or just be near its aura. There’s meaning to it.
So not only does this Rose remind me of my beautiful Nan, it somehow forces me to stop, pause, take a minute to appreciate the day and to appreciate everything I have at this point in time, which is enriching.
So in saying this, it appears that if your loved one gifts you a rose, they can somehow influence the way you appreciate life even after they’ve gone.
The timing of this rose blooming is eerie. I wouldn’t say I’m woo woo or mystic, but its timing couldn’t be a coincidence. The first time was on the first anniversary of her death and the second on the day of my architectural registration exam - coincidence? I think not.
In addition to Nan’s lovely pink rose, there’s another. My beautiful friend Merryn gifted me a beautiful white rose and on the tag it had, “in memory of Shirley.” There are places online where a Rose can be named in Memory of someone. This was probably the most meaningful and thoughtful gift I had ever received. I planted this one adjacent to Nan’s bright pink rose and they’ve bloomed intermittently. The white rose bloomed when we found out one of our houses had finally settled.
The blooming of these Roses is just uncanny. Nan is definitely watching over us at pivotal moments in our lives. When I first see it bud, It often makes me wonder when it will bloom, but I’ll leave it to her, I now know she is looking over me amongst the busy everyday wheel of life.
The Memoir book that my Nan and I created together, captures your loved ones handwritten words of truth, story and love and can be re-read from time to time. A rose captures a loved one’s support, love and presence after they’re gone, as if they’re right there with you.
If you’re fortunate enough to still have your loved one with you, my suggestion would be an outing to select a rose, together. Use this day as an opportunity to start talking about the hard things in life, that you want to capture their story alongside this Rose, reminding them that the rose will be a representation of their support for you after they’re gone. Inside the Memoir book, write down about this day. It could be in the ‘Our relationship’ section and that can become the beginning of your first chapter together.
Whether you prefer a Rose or something else entirely, the value of a living plant that will live long after your loved one has passed away, alongside their Memoir book, has the power of their legacy, living on for future generations.