A Perfect Rose - (enlarge plse)

I was intently chasing after Bumble Bees at one of my favorite

Garden Centres in September of 2010. It was one of those perfect

Autumn days. The combination of the warm sun and aroma from the

surrounding flowers was a 'heady' perfection. It is times like this, I am

transported into my own little world, not a worry entered my mind. It

was not until I saw this beautiful Rose Bud that I immediately thought

of my Mom. She was very ill. I knew I would loose her sometime in

the near future. This little trip to the Garden Centre had been a

welcome distraction from all that had been on my mind and the busy

trips to the hospitals. But for a 'perfect moment in time', this lovely

rose reminded me of my beautiful Mother and all she had meant to

me up until that moment. The Rose stood strong and proud with no

obvious blemishes. I leaned down hoping to find it was fragrant, and

it was. One of the most beautiful aromas of any Rose ever. The

word 'Mom' escaped my lips, and I got a wee lump in my throat, but I

was not sad. All I saw was the exquisite beauty of this singular Rose

as it basked in the sunlight among the other lovely flowers in this

corner of the garden. Each time I have viewed this image, I am

reminded of the lovely woman my Mother was and the beautiful

scent of her perfume each time I enveloped my arms around her. At

times, when I am missing her, I put a bit of her favorite body lotion on

my cheeks. This is usually in the wee hours of the morning when I

am drifting off to sleep. I am comforted and filled with all of the

wonderful memories I have been blessed with of this lovely woman I

called, 'Mom'. (any visits are appreciated, I hope you all have

someone whom you have such beautiful memories of, all the best,

Gail)

Gail , I'm getting the same image twice , don't know why . A nice image of this opening rose with good DOF . I know the anniversary of losing your Mom is round about now . It's good that you can  speak of her and have such fond memories . Bill

Beautiful Gail. The image has a wonderful softness to it.   AJ

Hi Gail,

  Beautiful image with touching thought's of your mom that I understand so well.  Take care, Patsy

Oh my heck Gail that's a beautiful picture, and the story adds so much more to it! Thanks for sharing :) Shel

Perfect indeed, a beautiful Rose and photograph...   Mike

Hi Bill,

when I posed the rose the other night, it did not show up in my 'most recent' or under my Portfolio. So I uploaded it again.  I have deleted the one that should not be there, many thanks. Yes, it is wonderful that I can think of my Mom with such fond memories. She raised 4 children along with my Dad, and times were not always easy. But we always had a good meal to eat, a roof over our heads and all the Love in the world. Of course there were times when we did not get along, but that is normal in a Mother and Daughter relationship. And we learn from these times and value our good memories all the more. At times I get a bit sad still, but I try to think positive. I had a Good Mother, and I am fortunate to have a Father who loves us all very much. Who could ask for more??? Many thanks for your visit and kind words,

your friend who longs for the signs of Spring as you are experiencing, Gail

Such a kind and heartfelt expression shared, my sincere thanks. :) Gail

When I was posting it, I thought of you. You were there for me that whole time Patsy. This Rose is for you as well.

thanks dear friend, Gail 

My sincere thanks for your thoughts shared, I appreciate the encouragement.

...if you think all our life we have lot of feelings inside us that do a battle in our existence and make the line of what we can be,good or bad,loving or hating,persevering or lazy....and so many others.But at the end of life when most of feelings and action did were positive,and we are satisfied most of things we did this is the most important and nothing else matter.A light in your life to be forever as is now Gail.

sincerely radu

A beautiful result with very nice lighting and colors, Gail!

very beautiful,my friend

Nice work Gail,  I can almost smell it.

My sincere thanks to each one for taking the time to visit and for sharing your input. Encouragement inspires.

kind regards, Gail

A beautiful rose with beautiful memories!

Rose like a cheap novel.
Like surrender emerging on the face
as the expectation that weighs on the lips....

Warm regards.

Stefano.

Very touching thoughts my dear friend! Lovely rose with nice details! :)

Warmest regards, 

LuDa

Very lovely, amiga. Un buen dia. 

the way the pink shades into white is sublime.  i love this one.  epd

Such a beautiful poem, my sincere thanks for sharing 'it's ' beauty with me.

sincere regards, Gail

thank you Jamie, you are the one who spends so much time in such lovely Gardens. I do appreciate your lovely comment.

Thank You Luisa!! So good to hear from you. I am sorry to be so late to answer your kind words of critique. I enjoyed our Photoshop lesson yesterday!! talk again soon, Gail

you are a dear soul, always something lovely to say. The very best to you always, Gail

thank you for your visit and thoughts shared Janine. I always appreciate hearing from you. :) cheers for now, Gail