Roses

Tonight I walked through the grocery store with a purpose- to purchase enough food to feed five hungry men lunch tomorrow.  The "Five Guys," (my son and his four roommates), are heading south to enjoy their spring break in Daytona Beach. Since my house is on the way, I decided to offer lunch in order to set eyes on my son, albeit briefly, before they hit the beach.

Zipping up and down the aisles, I was pleased with my purpose and efficiency. No time to dawdle, I was on a mission. Then I passed the flower stand and paused. There were bright green spider mums,  sunflowers, daises and those little colorful lilies. And the roses: ruby red, slightly opened like full lips parting. Sunny yellow buds, and snow white blossoms, but it was the creamy pink roses that caught my eye.

They reminded me of the roses I used to see every morning when I walked to school as a child. I would  walk slowly past the yard, inhaling the delicious fragrance of tea roses. The bushes were lush and filled with roses of every color and size. They were all beautiful, but the creamy, pink tea roses were my favorite.

Staring at the roses in the store brought back a flood of memories, including my vow that one day I would regularly buy flowers, just because.

The roses look beautiful reflected in my hall mirror.