Portland OregonThe City of Roses
The climate here in the Pacific Northwest is ideal for growing roses.
Our Summers are warm and dry,
while our winters are mild, yet rainy.
Rose gardens are prevalent here,
and roses are frequently found growing along the roadside, and along highway medians.
The International Rose Test Garden is also located in our area.
I have always loved roses. I don't recall having a rose bush in our yard when I was a child.
And I don't know all the ins and outs of being a great rose gardener.
I just know I love them and am always learning more.
I think my love began when I lived in Nebraska when I inherited a handful of rose bushes from the previous home owners.
I tended and added to the rose garden in the 13 years I lived there. I was sad to leave my roses behind, but was excited to begin a new garden in a climate that was perfect for them.
This year my sister and I are both planting the 2011 Official Rose of the Portland Rose Festival Sweet Spotlight.
Since moving to Salem, I have planted 7 roses plants, including the 2 given to me by my sister this past weekend.
I am glad to have someone that shares my affection for this beautiful plant.
The other rose I planted this year is the Chihuly Rose. This rose was named for Dale Chihuly the famous glass artist. http://www.chihuly.com/home.aspx
If you seen the glass flowers in the Bellagio in Las Vegas then you have seen Chihuly's work.
Even though this is more a floribunda rose,
(I usually prefer Hy-Brid tea roses)
I was drawn to the rich colors of the blossoms and couldn't resist giving this a try.
As I was planting the roses, my daughter (#7) and I had a chance to talk about the flowers and why I liked them. She admitted hating yard work and gardening. She also said she didn't like roses due to the thorns.
I shared how I would prefer to be outside, digging in the dirt to doing housework any day.
I will tolerate the thorns, pricks, pokes, and scratches I get in tending my roses any time. The reward is the blooms I get to enjoy later in the year.
I told her Roses are a lot like love.
It isn't always easy.
Sometimes it even hurts.
But if you are patient,
stick with it,
give it some attention and care,
you will find joy in the work.
I reassured her the best is yet to come when
we cut the blooms in the Spring and Summer.
My daughter also asked me, "Do you and dad have plans for Valentine's Day?"
I said, "No, we don't."
She said, "That's sad. You should do something."
I tried to explain to her that for me it wasn't as much about what you do for your significant other on that ONE day in February. I thought it was more about what you do for each other throughout the year.
I saw this example lived out in my parents relationship. Mom and dad always did little things for each other throughout the year. It was the small things, the little surprises throughout the year that make a difference over the long haul. I remember mom putting notes in dad's lunch box for him to find later in his day. And dad would on occasion bring mom a single red rose. It was their tradition.
When I was with dad in the hospital last October I had the opportunity to take him outside for a bit of sunshine, as we came back in he spotted the gift shop.
He said, "I want to by your mom a rose."
He was very specific, "I just want one red rose, not a bunch of them, and not in a vase, just one red rose."
His wheel chair wouldn't fit easily into the small gift shop so I said, "okay dad, I'll go in and see if they have one."
I waited nearly 10 minutes for the floral attendant.
I explained my dad's wishes and she hooked me up with one, single, beautiful, red, rose for mom.
When I walked out of the shop, dad said, "I don't have my wallet with me, but I'll pay you back."
I chuckled and told him, "Dad, its okay! I've got it." He said in his firm yet loving way, "NO! I want to give your mom a flower and I'll pay you back."
He was so excited for mom to return so he could surprise her. I used a sonic cup as a vase and tried to hide the rose behind some items on the shelf.
I know the surprise meant as much to mom to receive as it meant to dad to surprise her.
The love my parents shared for over 50 years has extended to us 7 kids, their 19 grand kids, and everyone they met.
Their love was contagious.
When they learned a favorite nurse was working late on her birthday, they both agreed to pass the one, single, red, rose along.
The surprise gift brought tears of joy to the birthday girl on a very long, hard day.
When it came time to bury my dad last December the mortuary began explaining the multitude of floral options for the casket. Mom interrupted the flower schpeel in the same firm, yet loving way dad had with me and said, "I know exactly what I want. One, Single, Red, Rose. And we'll provide it."
Then mom shared the story and tradition her and dad had shared for so many years.
It was then I realized where I developed a love for roses, It was from my parents and the love they shared.
To everyone out there whether you are married, single, widowed, divorced, or still longing for that special someone remember, how much money you spend on February 14 is NOT what is important.
What makes a difference is the amount of care, and attention you give throughout the year to the loved ones in your life.
I suggest you make time this year for little surprises.
The Best is Yet to Come!
Happy Valentine's Day
Steppin' out with DWNTWN
DWNTWNimages.me
That was beautiful Julie!
ReplyDelete