Stop and Smell the Roses

Chad gave me roses for Valentine's Day. Red roses. They are my favorite flower. I guess I'm traditional that way. There is something about their velvety texture and the way the petals layer within each other that make me smile. Each petal is nestled in together- one layer on top of the next. And when they open up, you can see that you have been deceived by the rose, as it is much larger, with many more layers, than you had expected. I love surprises like that.

I placed my dozen red roses in a vase near the front door. My thought was that this would be the best place for all to enjoy them, as we pass by this area many times during the day because the staircase to our second floor is near the front door. Christian decided to place a small amount of water into the already-filled vase the other day, and ever since then, every time he walks by them, he checks them. "Look at the beautiful roses!" he says. "Look how they've grown!" If I'm in the other room, he will come and get me so that I, too can admire these cut roses that have "grown" in a matter of hours, or sometimes minutes. He will then stop and sniff them, placing one rose directly in front of his nose and taking a deep breath, inhaling their fragrance. "Ahhhh.." he says.

It occurred to me today, that, if it were not for him, I would not stop and smell these roses. I would not take the time to stop and admire their beauty. Of course I appreciate them, and when I look at them, they make me smile. But I would not take in the experience of the rose. I would not stop and smell them, touch their delicate petals, and enjoy them if it weren't for Christian. That is what my children do for me. They make me stop and smell the roses.

It is my hope that my son does not ever lose this. This, appreciation for beautiful things, that are so simple, yet so amazing and miraculous in nature. Even when I try to hurry him along through our chores, and bedtime routine, I need to remember that I need to enjoy our time together, even through the mundane tasks of every day life, like brushing his teeth. After all, he is much like those roses. Aren't we all?