Remember rose

“Life is short so do what you love and do it often” -anonymous

Every day when I got home from school I would see my neighbor, Mrs. Rose, in her yard tending to her flowers. She was beading with sweat and she was seventy five or eighty. Her knees were growing weak so she had to use a cane. She would have a cow when someone came  to help her with her chores. She didn’t have any kids but she treated her flowers like they were her own children. She would grin at me before I went into the house. Her husband Peter was a musician and he died two winters ago. He was glad that she couldn’t plant flowers in the dead of winter. As soon as the first sign of spring was on it’s way, she was back at it.

Thanksgiving was always a huge tradition in my house. My entire family argued over the football score. Mrs. Rose lived in her house alone. A big old turkey just for her was sure to go to waste, so we invited her to celebrate the holiday with us.  She always brought a bouquet of fresh flowers to decorate the table. 

After Thanksgiving I would see her decorate her Christmas tree with flowers instead of ornaments.

A couple of weeks after the holidays we began to see less and less of the old woman. And then one day her obituary appeared in the local newspaper. She had always kept to herself. She didn’t like anyone coming onto her property or seeing the inside of her house. She loved to be outside rather than inside the house. Even though she had no job I thought that she would be good for a garden center. Memorial donations were made to help plant flowers in parks around town. Flowers covered her casket. She finally was at peace with her flowers by her side.

Reviews

[Chris Shaw]

A sad story. Recently I found out one of my neighbors had died in June. I was shocked that I didn’t find out till August. How does that happen when you live in the same steet? I could resonate with this piece. I love the generosity of your family at Thanksgiving and how Mrs Rose would bring flowers with her. She will be remembered for her love of flowers. Lauren I enjoyed my visit. I am sorry for the loss you feel. This piece is nicely narrated.