The Rose ~ My Tribute to May Flowers

And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful
than the risk it took to blossom.
~Anais Nin


I would like to begin my May Flowers Tribute by thanking Roxana, a talented and intelligent woman who is beautiful both inside and out. Roxana, dear friend, I’m so honored and grateful that you invited me to join this wonderful collective blog tribute. Thank you.

I had originally planned a completely different post for this tribute, but life took a dramatic turn recently, and I decided to make this post far more personal.

I chose the rose as my flower. Why the rose? I have a very simple reason, I chose the rose for love. The love of my husband, Ron, and the history of us. The history of the rose is long and well documented. I could tell you it’s many historical and present day meanings, but I would rather tell you its meaning for me. This is a tribute to both the rose and my relationship with my husband.

A Red, Red Rose
by Robert Burns

O my Luve's like a red, red rose
That's newly sprung in June;
O my Luve's like the melodie
That's sweetly played in tune.

As fair art thou, my bonnie lass,
So deep in luve am I;
And I will luve thee still, my dear,
Till a' the seas gang dry:

Till a' the seas gang dry, my dear,
And the rocks melt wi' the sun;
I will luve thee still, my dear,
While the sands o' life shall run.

And fare thee weel, my only Luve,
And fare thee weel awhile!
And I will come again, my Luve,
Tho' it ware ten thousand mile.

This week, I realized with crystal clarity that the rose has been symbolic in our life together. In what way? Let me count the ways...

Ron sent a dozen red roses to me the day after our first date.

The meaning of red roses
love
beauty
romantic love
I love you
passion


My wedding bouquet, his boutineer, and our wedding cake decorations were
all made of lavender roses.

The meaning of lavender roses
love at first sight


And finally, when we bought our first home together, the home we live in today, Ron planted a rose bush. He’s planted one for each year we’ve been living in our home. We now have 13 rose bushes along one side of our backyard. It’s become a beautiful and symbolic rose garden.



There are many quotes about roses. To me, they are lovely sentiments, and some are even rich with messages of how to live your life:

Won't you come into the garden? I would like my roses to see you.
~Richard Brinsley Sheridan

I'd rather have roses on my table than diamonds on my neck.
~Emma Goldman

There is nothing more difficult for a truly creative painter than to paint a rose, because before he can do so he has first to forget all the roses that were ever painted.
~Henri Matisse

If I had a rose for every time I thought of you, I'd be picking roses for a lifetime.
~Swedish proverb



Stop and smell the roses.
~American cliché


This last sentiment, stop and smell the roses, is a cliché that is easily cast aside. For me it’s extremely significant and from now on, an important part of my life. Far more so than ever before. That cliché is what made me rewrite my May Flowers tribute. I wanted you to understand its immense message. Those five words are words to live by.

Nine days ago, we came horrifyingly close to losing my husband. If he had been on one of his frequent international flights, or in a far off country as he is so often, he most likely would not be with us today. The idea of which scares me so much I have to push it out of my mind. As it happened, he was home and we were able to get immediate medical help. He is recovering more each day and we’re confident he’ll have a full recovery in 6 weeks. My husband is young, athletic, fit and eats a very healthy diet. Yet I almost lost him.

Now, each day, there are so many moments when he does a little thing…hugs our boy, cracks a lame joke, holds my hand…a hundred little things…and I think, this moment is a gift. The thought that nine days ago it came very, very close to being an entirely different, tragic reality causes a physical ache in me. Something so painful to think about that I barely let it reach my thoughts before I force it from my mind. A ghost of a nightmare that never was.

The impact of this incident was such a complete shock. It took me three days for it to sink in, and it's still sinking in. It has forever changed the way I look at life. The realization I came to is this. Life is delicate and precious. It’s the ultimate gift. Live each day as if it were your last. Appreciate and enjoy your loved ones. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Take time every single day to experience and reflect. Be good to yourself. All of these clichés sound familiar, right? I’ve said or thought them a thousand times. Until I was faced with the very real possibility of losing Ron, their meaning was abstract.

Dearest friends, if you only take one thing away with you from this post, let it be a daily reminder to stop and smell the roses. Write it on a slip of paper and put it where you’ll see it each and every day…In a world filled with shades of gray; this is one true black and white.




The Beginning (not The End)
xo








17 comments:

24 Corners said...

Oh Dennice...I'm so sorry you and your family have had to experience such a time as this and I'm so thankful that Ron is well and that your heart can rest, what a scary time for you all.

A friend of ours always says...when you "kiss a shark" (he's from Australia), you instantly have a new appreciation for life with all it's gifts and blessings, especially the so called "small ones"...the roses. It's not that they weren't apprecaited and even loved before...they just have a new and even more special spot in our daily lives.

Your post is beautiful, thank you for sharing what you've been through, I think many hearts will be at rest now.

Best to Ron, your dear son, and much love to you...
Jessica

Andrea said...

Oh my...
What a lovely heart wrenchingly beautiful post.
I am so happy to be wishing you all well...To many more bushes planted in your garden...Many more years of love for each other.
A truly inspirational post Dennice.
Thank you for the reminder.
My wee indoor roses are in buds as I write...
XO
Andrea

Brenda said...

My heart is so full reading your beautiful post, Dennice! I feel so very lucky and blessed to have had the honor to spend time with you, Ron and Ev in person - the Fringe family is a very special family indeed!

I'm so glad that you're embracing life's bountiful abundance as a result of such a frightening experience. And SO SO SO glad that Ron was home at the time!!!

Love, hugs and kisses all around!!!

xoxo Brenda

Ana said...

oh, Dennice I am so sorry to hear about your husband's accident, but I am so happy that he is well.

You are such a beautiful person, and I feel blessed to get to enjoy some of that here.

Please know that there are people out here wishing you both the best and cheering you on.

Unknown said...

what a beautiful post d, i'm so glad that he is going to be ok. it is a reminder that life can change that quickly, and that we should see it as a gift, it truly is. i've been thinking of you and hoping all was going well. thank you for your beautiful thoughts my sweet friend. xo suz

Ivy Lane said...

Dennice.... prayers and THANKS!! to whatever your Higher Power is...so glad your husband is going to be okay... I will be thinking of you and yours and praying... GOD's healing hands... to be with you and on your hubby.......and every rose I see this week..and beyond.. I will think of you guys!!

Ivy Lane said...

hey... my hubby's name is Ron too!! bigger hugs to your Ron!!!! and to your son!!!!!!! xox xooox xxoo

Illuminated Perfume said...

Thank you for sharing your warm and vibrant heart with us dear Dennice. This is a beautiful tribute to where this sacred moment finds you on your journey. I wish Ron continued healing. xoxo

Wild Woman Jewelry said...

Dennice~ thank you for sharing this beautiful post and your very personal experience...you have reminded me again how easily life and love are taken for granted. My heart is with you and your family and I send my best and warmest wishes for Ron's complete recovery.
hugs,
karon

brock street said...

thanks for sharing honey bunny. i know this has been one of the toughest yet, but your approach and rendering of sentiment will only make life much sweeter and richer.
you and r and boy are all blessed and watched over by your special angels.
love the post and the best way to start my day.
perspective!!

Dennice {Fringe} said...

Oh my goodness. All of you wonderful, caring, loving friends (and darling brother). Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your beautiful words of encouragement and compassion. Truly, my heart is so full.

I've read and reread all of your comments over and over. You're amazing friends.

Thank you so so much. I'll never forget this outpouring of friendship.

Much love,
D

red ticking said...

sweet dennice...
this is one of the most beautiful posts i have ever read... i am so happy ron is ok... and yes, everyday is truly a gift.

may God keep you all safe and in HIs loving care..
xx
pam

NaveenAli said...

great effort..
i love these all type of florist very nice collection..
thanks for sharing..

Sherry said...

I have been thinking about you and just did not know what to say, until I realized, my friend, that all will be ok.

I tuly deeply live each day because you never know what tomorrow will bring.

For Ron it will bring healing with you by his side, kiss the boy and the man extra hard today.

xoSherry

Wear Your Wild said...

Oh my goodness D, I don't know what happened, but am so glad to hear that Mr Fringe is going to be OK. I know how you feel. I've been in a similar situation with my dh. Each day is a gift.
The rose post is beautiful! I am a rose person.
xoxo

alexkeller said...

i'm glad the Mr. is okay - i worry all the time about mine. I hope we all have 13 x 100 years together.
love always

Dennice {Fringe} said...

red ticking, BlackStar, Sherrry, and alexkeller - Thank you so much for your outpouring of support and friendship. I'm so fortunate to have such special, dear friends...xoxo

NaveenAli - Thank you for visiting :)