The Rose

He was a dedicated attorney who worked hard and was always in demand.  In the hot summers of Southern California, he would arrive home before dark so that he could tend to his roses.  He always wore a coat and tie to the office.  In the summer he worn light gaberdine slacks and a linen sport coat that his wife had pick out for him.  Much to her chagrin rather than changing into more appropriate gardening attire he would water his roses, managing to splash mud on his “nice” clothes.  His wife – my mother -- was never happy with the result.  However, it did not seem to have the appropriate behavioral change as the moment for tending roses was immediate without planning.

At various times in my life I, too, have made an attempt to be a dedicated rose gardener.  They are somewhat delicate plants that attract a lot of garden diseases and pests.  Vineyards use them as the “canary in the coal mine” as they are planted at the end of the rows of grape vines to warn of disease as they are affected first.  I haven’t had roses in a long time as life changes and disruptions took me away from the time it takes to cultivate roses that have a resemblance to the perfect specimens you buy at the florist.

It is easy to say “no” to rose care—— just one more thing to take care of.

Recently roses came into my life.  Saying “no” seems to be the immediate response when hearing a request.  I suppose it’s the inference of commitment that triggers that response. Regardless those ignored requests stick in our mind as we find a way to carry out the response we should have given in the first place.

As if to correct a wrong I spent the better part of my Sunday digging a hole through cement and rock in preparation of planting .  Today, I drove an hour to a rose farm to buy the rose that will occupy that hole in the ground.

In some small way I have returned to something my father treasured in his life.   More importantly I think this plant will remind me to think twice before saying “no.”   That answer is a good way to eliminate opportunity and experiences. Thus, like good rose care pruning such responses is critical.

The rose: a symbol of a gentle chance