Kay love to spend time in the garden among all of her beautiful flowers. Azaleas, tulips, daffodils, carnations, but her roses were especially dear to her. As a young teen she had won many competitions in the local county fair for the color, tint, scent and beauty of her roses. She spent many long hours of work attending to her garden.
One day she met a young man at the fair and fell in love. He was the most charming man she had ever spent time with. As they spent time together, their love continued to grow. Eventually he asked her to marry him.
On that grand day of hope and promise, Kay’s future mother-in-law told her that she had a special gift to celebrate the union of her marriage. So after all of the good-bys following the reception just before they were to leave, the mother-in-law handed a plant to Kay.
She told Kay that this plant represented Kay’s love for her husband. Just as she remembers to water and care for her garden, this is to be a reminder to love and care for her husband.
So, Kay took the rose bush and planted it next to the front door of her newlywed home that her husband had built for her. As the years past and their love matured, the roses would bloom. They were beautiful, magnificent roses. The petals were strong and did not wither for a very long time. Each year new blooms would appear.
After many years of a happy life together, Kay’s husband went to be with Jesus. The rose bush was a constant reminder of their lifetime of love together. They had truly been soul mates.
In 2003, great winds began to blow around her home. The air was turbulent. They lived by the river and slowly the torrential rains came down. A terrible tropical storm was damaging their home. Water flooded into the front living room. It was already in the engines of their vehicles. Kay’s son arrived just in time to rescue them from impending danger.
After several days had past, Kay returned to look at what damage had been done to her home. Water had settled into the walls, mold had begun to grow. Her furniture and appliances destroyed. The carpet smelled of a hideous odor.
But what hurt Kay the most was that her lovely rose bush that had been faithful to bloom for over fifty years had been washed away. All that remained was a small root and bloom of its former majesty.
Kay took the root back to the place where she was staying. She loved and cared for it more tenderly than she ever had before. Slowly day by day, she would nurture the gentle shoot in hopes that it would again take root.
After about two years, Kay’s home had finally been restored. The mold had been professionally removed. The appliances, carpet, and furniture had been purchased and replaced.
The bush - although it had grown - had not bloomed. In great expectation, Kay planted her rose bush again where it had been planted before by her front door. As the roots grounded themselves in the rich soil, the bush flourished.
This spring, her bush bloomed again the most gorgeous red, pink, and blended roses that I have ever seen! They were so large and full. The scent was transcendent of beauty. Once again the bush reminded Kay of how much love she and her husband shared in their beautiful life together.
Her bush continued to grow, with so many roses and in a variety of colors and tints. Kay will always have a tender reminder of a special relationship she shared with her husband.
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