Roses

“God gave us memory so that we might have roses in December,” proclaimed Sir James Matthew Barrie sometime in the early 1900s.  Born in 1860 he lived a full thoughtful life, with his share of sorrow and success.  His saying naturally resonates with me: At 94, I can smell those roses!  With open arms, I welcome home the memories triggered by the scent.

Life has no set formula.  We live our lives differently, and we age differently.  One of the common experiences is realizing that age steals many of the abilities and interests once enjoyed.  The good news is that the problems I encounter as the years pass are manageable.  The joys I experience continue to accumulate.  Now deep into my December, as countless wonderful memories drift in, I pick my roses, contentedly.

16 Comments

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16 Responses to Roses

  1. Beautiful celebration of life! Good reason to collect roses as we age.

    • Marjorie

      Many thanks, Judith, and glad you liked it. Good, bad, or indifferent, life is still worth living and enjoying. There is always the wonder of what may be around the next corner!

  2. Jim Taylor

    Great timing — your latest blog arrived on my 80th birthday! The quotation from James Barrie is apropos; more and more often, I find myself telling stories that come out of memory of former times. At the Rotary Club this morning, one of the tributes consisted of a guy reading a loooong list of the things that hadn’t been invented, hadn’t even been imagined, when I was born!
    Jim T

    • Marjorie

      Just wait, Jim, until you find yourself living in a residence where the average age is in the mid-80s! I found myself recounting an event from my childhood. One of my listeners asked “When did that happen, Marj?” A quick calculation and I replied “83 years ago!” I took some ribbing.

  3. Eveline Goodall

    Thanks, lovely lady. Eveline

    • Marjorie

      Still on the path, Eveline. Thanks for the kind words. When you have time bring me up to date on you and yours.

  4. Leone Jobson

    So beautiful. While I do treasure many wonderful memories, my actual roses need coddling…aphids creating problems now! All in all, it has been a great summer for gardeners in Edmonton. The rain and sun have been generous.
    All the best to you Marjorie!

    • Marjorie

      Leone Schrag Jobson–how are you? Sorry about your gardening problems, but just your contact stirs up a lifetime of memories about you, your parents, and the close family link we enjoyed. All considered, life has been good to all of us.

  5. Norma wheeler

    Thank you Marjorie; I always enjoy your wise writings. My mother would agree with you regarding the memories. Iwill try to remember that the more positive the outlook the eaier it is to manage the problems. Take care and God bless. Norma

    • Marjorie

      I have a hard time, Norma, remembering that you are a grandmother. Already you must have a pile of memories! Adult children, then grandchildren, and of course for me it is also great-grandchildren. How wonderful it is as the years roll by, and one generation after another joins us. Thanks for your comment, and enjoy your growing clan.

  6. Susan McCalla

    Beautiful reminders, Marjorie…to treasure every moment we have in this sometimes delightful, sometimes difficult but always wondrous life !

    Take care

    Sue

    • Marjorie

      Sue, your comment is also a reminder to me to see you soon. I will be away for a while at a granddaughter’s wedding. Hard to believe that I held her when she was born.

  7. Joyce Schuman

    I want to be just like you when I grow up. Thanks for sharing your wisdom and humor.

    • Marjorie

      Joyce – Oh me! I’m flattered but more than a mite embarrassed. Thanks anyway. Nice to hear from you – check in sometime and catch me up on life with the Schumans.

  8. Elfrieda Neufeld Schroeder

    Love the quote! I still remember the first time I smelled roses, when I was nine years old and my family was in the process of emigrating to Canada. Someone had died and there was this gorgeous cascade of roses on the casket. I don’t remember who died, I just remember that wonderful smell of roses, and I love roses to this day!

    • Marjorie

      Elfrieda – Memories are powerful and blessed things, aren’t they? Imagine how barren our old years would be without them.