Remember the Rose

There's a pink rose bush . . . 

Outside my four year old grandlove's preschool that blooms from early spring through late fall.

When I pick her up on Thursday afternoons, we always stop by the bush to appreciate how it's changed in the week between our last visit. We notice thorns, new buds, blooms that are still opening and the drooping petals of older roses.

There's always something new that catches our attention.

Arriving home from vacation last week was sooner and more abrupt than I had planned (and I'm ok!) and in the week since, it's been hard to get my figurative bearings.

And so, I'm giving myself some grace.

I found an old Instagram post from 2021 and reading it freshly feels a bit like visiting the rosebush with my grandlove. I thought I'd share it with you this week: 

A couple weeks ago, I received a phone call from a dear friend. She had some news to share that I was genuinely happy to hear. But I was feeling something more, too; something I couldn't quite put my finger on.

When I finally made time to sit with that something more, I discovered a part of me that was angry and scared. I got curious and what I began to understand was that this part of me was anticipating a big ask from my friend; an unspoken expectation.

From somewhere deep inside, a voice said "remember the rose."

I came to the understanding that to honor both my friend's wonderful news and my boundaries, I could use my rose qualities; I could be both soft and strong. 

My wish for you this week is that you remember the rose; be strong when you need to be strong and be soft when you need to be soft. Protect your time and energy when you need to and don't be afraid to show the world how truly beautiful you are.