Revised from Original post on April 14, 2012
Roses
seem to be harbingers in my life. Let me explain: My in-law’s rose
bush flourished every summer. Fragrant pink blooms had covered
it. After the blooming season in 1994, my mother-in-law passed away.
***************
The
following summer, 1995, a single rose appeared. This was the only bloom the entire summer. Was God giving us a sign? Did this solitary rose represent my sweet mother-in-law who had joined Him in heaven?
The next summer, 1996, a solitary rose appeared again, in May, soon after my father-in-law was diagnosed with lung cancer. I couldn't help wondering what it meant.
Less than two months later, on July 1, my father-in-law
passed. After the funeral, I thought about the rose bush. When I checked it, I could hardly believe my eyes! Another pink rose flaunted itself next to the other bloom. Two people who dearly loved one another were reunited forever.
My husband and I now live one hill over from his parents' home place. Our yard is also graced with a rose bush. It conveniently blooms the week before Mother's Day. I can pick my mom a bouquet for the occasion.
This year a strange thing occurred. During the second week of April, one beautiful rose appeared high on the bush.
I
contemplated what the early rose meant. Was someone dear to me about to pass? I checked the bush the following day. Still, the one rose remained
Two
days later I read the news online that my sweet soul sister and author, Sharon Donovan had passed away. I was heartbroken. Sharon was a treasure and an inspiration to all who knew her. We instantly bonded, sharing our joys and tears.
Legally
blind by the age of 25 from complications of diabetes, Sharon did not let her disability stop her. She pursued her dream of becoming an author by tackling and utilizing a special computer program that read the typed words back to her. Within five years, Sharon had several published romance novels to her credit.
The week following Sharon’s April 13th passing, my rosebush stood in full bloom, the once solitary bloom now surrounded by many others. I believe God sent the solitary rose to comfort me and to
let me know Sharon had joined Him in heaven
But, what did the surrounding roses signify? Did these new blooms represent
Sharon's friends--the ones her sweetness and generosity touched while she dwelt among us? Through encouragement and love,
she blessed so many.
Sharon Donovan, after all these years, I still miss you. But I
can't quench the thrill you when I imagine you with perfect eyesight exploring the awesome wonders of heaven.
You loved roses. I can visualize your eyes opening wide at the sight of gorgeous flowers, streets of gold, and the crystal sea. Beauty beyond compare. A place no sickness,
no pain, and no tears can dwell. Where only love, pure joy, and laughter exist until eternity.
April 18, 2020 Note: The rose bush still blooms the week before Mother’s Day. My mother received her last bouquet from it in 2018, four months before she passed. I wonder if Mama and Sharon are enjoying one another’s company in heaven. I believe, if they've met, they have become fast friends.
I’m
not sure why God uses roses to relay messages to me. But it’s past mid-April again, and I am keeping a wary eye on that rose bush.
*******************
Looking for a sweet summer romance? Severed Hearts will take you back to 1970 when sweethearts were separated by war, although it was never labeled a war. Many soldiers returned home alive, but others did not.
https://www.amazon.com/Severed-Hearts-Laurean-Brooks-ebook/dp/B07BFLSQVK/ref=sr_1_7?dchild=1&keywords=Laurean+Brooks&qid=1587261348&s=books&sr=1-7
The
following summer, 1995, a single rose appeared. This was the only bloom the entire summer. Was God giving us a sign? Did this solitary rose represent my sweet mother-in-law who had joined Him in heaven?
The next summer, 1996, a solitary rose appeared again, in May, soon after my father-in-law was diagnosed with lung cancer. I couldn't help wondering what it meant.
The next summer, 1996, a solitary rose appeared again, in May, soon after my father-in-law was diagnosed with lung cancer. I couldn't help wondering what it meant.
Less than two months later, on July 1, my father-in-law passed. After the funeral, I thought about the rose bush. When I checked it, I could hardly believe my eyes! Another pink rose flaunted itself next to the other bloom. Two people who dearly loved one another were reunited forever.
My husband and I now live one hill over from his parents' home place. Our yard is also graced with a rose bush. It conveniently blooms the week before Mother's Day. I can pick my mom a bouquet for the occasion.
This year a strange thing occurred. During the second week of April, one beautiful rose appeared high on the bush.
I
contemplated what the early rose meant. Was someone dear to me about to pass? I checked the bush the following day. Still, the one rose remained
Two
days later I read the news online that my sweet soul sister and author, Sharon Donovan had passed away. I was heartbroken. Sharon was a treasure and an inspiration to all who knew her. We instantly bonded, sharing our joys and tears.
Legally
blind by the age of 25 from complications of diabetes, Sharon did not let her disability stop her. She pursued her dream of becoming an author by tackling and utilizing a special computer program that read the typed words back to her. Within five years, Sharon had several published romance novels to her credit.
The week following Sharon’s April 13th passing, my rosebush stood in full bloom, the once solitary bloom now surrounded by many others. I believe God sent the solitary rose to comfort me and to
let me know Sharon had joined Him in heaven
But, what did the surrounding roses signify? Did these new blooms represent Sharon's friends--the ones her sweetness and generosity touched while she dwelt among us? Through encouragement and love, she blessed so many.
Sharon Donovan, after all these years, I still miss you. But I can't quench the thrill you when I imagine you with perfect eyesight exploring the awesome wonders of heaven. You loved roses. I can visualize your eyes opening wide at the sight of gorgeous flowers, streets of gold, and the crystal sea. Beauty beyond compare. A place no sickness, no pain, and no tears can dwell. Where only love, pure joy, and laughter exist until eternity.
April 18, 2020 Note: The rose bush still blooms the week before Mother’s Day. My mother received her last bouquet from it in 2018, four months before she passed. I wonder if Mama and Sharon are enjoying one another’s company in heaven. I believe, if they've met, they have become fast friends.
But, what did the surrounding roses signify? Did these new blooms represent Sharon's friends--the ones her sweetness and generosity touched while she dwelt among us? Through encouragement and love, she blessed so many.
Sharon Donovan, after all these years, I still miss you. But I can't quench the thrill you when I imagine you with perfect eyesight exploring the awesome wonders of heaven. You loved roses. I can visualize your eyes opening wide at the sight of gorgeous flowers, streets of gold, and the crystal sea. Beauty beyond compare. A place no sickness, no pain, and no tears can dwell. Where only love, pure joy, and laughter exist until eternity.
April 18, 2020 Note: The rose bush still blooms the week before Mother’s Day. My mother received her last bouquet from it in 2018, four months before she passed. I wonder if Mama and Sharon are enjoying one another’s company in heaven. I believe, if they've met, they have become fast friends.
I’m
not sure why God uses roses to relay messages to me. But it’s past mid-April again, and I am keeping a wary eye on that rose bush.
Looking for a sweet summer romance? Severed Hearts will take you back to 1970 when sweethearts were separated by war, although it was never labeled a war. Many soldiers returned home alive, but others did not.
https://www.amazon.com/Severed-Hearts-Laurean-Brooks-ebook/dp/B07BFLSQVK/ref=sr_1_7?dchild=1&keywords=Laurean+Brooks&qid=1587261348&s=books&sr=1-7
Lovely sentiment, Laurean. Pink roses are my favorite flower. At the house in which I spent most of my growing up years, we had a pink rose bush with a wonderful fragrance. It was near my bedroom window. Perhaps that's why I love them so much. My husband and I always have roses wherever we live. In this house, we have so many large oak trees that the only place we can have them is a border around the patio. My husband planted red Knockout roses. They are so pretty this year. Best wishes.
ReplyDeleteCaroline, we share a love of roses. They are beautiful to look at besides smelling like a bit of heaven. I'll bet your patio area is gorgeous. Thank you for commenting.
DeleteWhat a sweet post. I know someone who believes cardinals flying in one's path assure that person that angels are guarding them. We could use some cardinals now.
ReplyDeleteI'm a rose fan as well. However, the deer and rabbits love to eat them. Now I only have some vintage rag roses in the back of my house, taken from around the foundations of old houses of the earliest settlers in Northeast PA. Their fragrance is exquisite. Best of luck with "Severed Hearts."
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by Judy Ann. I didn't realize that deer love to eat roses. My bush looks sort of ragged because Hubby accidentally pushed down a large section with his tractor blade. But, it will grow back. I hope. Have a blessed day.
DeleteI am glad you shared about the beauty of God using roses to give you confirmation about your loved ones. Oh, I remember Sharon - she was an inspiration as you are too.
ReplyDeleteThank you for dropping in, Diane, and for Sharing this blog post. I thought you would remember Sharon. We all had books with Pelican Books (White Rose, at the time). Sharon was an encouragement and inspiration to all. I appreciate your compliment, but Sharon was so much more.
DeleteBeautiful on the roses and their meaning. I had them at our Tucson home when we bought it but knew I'd not be here enough to tend them and gave them to the realtor through which we'd found the place. Now that it seems this will be our permanent home, I want them again. Nothing is more beautiful to me or fragrant.
ReplyDeleteRain, thank you for coming by and reading this post. Roses do need tending to flourish. I hope you get your roses again. As you said, nothing is more beautiful or fragrant. I wish you the best. I appreciate your comments.
DeleteSharon and I were with Whimsical Publications. That's great you were with White Rose together. I didn't realize they were Pelican now :)
ReplyDeleteDiane Craver, Nicola Martinez, the head editor of the White Rose genre, took Wild Rose Press's inspirational line (White Rose) over in 2010, I think. She renamed it Pelican Book Group. I only published one book with them, "Journey To Forgiveness." She taught me a lot about writing through her editing skills.
DeleteThanks for reminding me today of my sweet friend Sharon. I will always remember her hilarious sense of humor and her zest for life. She was courage personified in my mind. And I join her many friends who still miss her.
ReplyDeleteLinda, I still miss her. She was, as you said, "courage personified." I miss our heart-to-hearts. I jokingly told her once, "If I disclose anything more, I'll have to kill you. Because you will know too much."
DeleteSuch a sweet post. I've had roses wherever I lived. My most memorable experience with roses was a Christmas Eve night many years ago. I had a curving bed of Rio Samba roses in the front yard. Every bush was in full bloom even though it was quite cold. Around midnight, we stepped outside just to enjoy the stillness. A herd of 7 deer were in the front yard having a buffet dinner on my rose bushes. They froze then bounded away, leaping over the rose bushes like gazelles. I've often regretted I didn't have a video or at least a photograph of the scene. Of course, that was back in the day of a cell phone that looked like a brick!
ReplyDeleteJoan, what a delightful video that would have been. I would love to see it. I hope they didn't eat all your roses. Until I posted this blog, I didn't know that deer ate roses. I wonder what it is about the taste that lures them.
ReplyDelete