thorns

A Perplexed Rose

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I suspect she carried more,

cared more

than I ever knew,

for I never really knew

her.

Irises were her favorites,

but Mother was more like

a rose,

opening slowly,

cautiously,

unsure,

perplexed by layers of petals,

trying to settle them

just

exactly

right

but ending up windblown,

sun-faded,

pollen dusted,

stemmed with thorns,

holding deep in her center

the longing to

do

everything

right

to be the chosen rose.

I think I understand better now,

for I carry more

and care more

than my children will ever know.

Irises are one of my favorites,

but maybe I am a

slowly

unfolding

rose.

-kh-

Nurture peace, cultivate kindness, and carry the calm.

And Happy Mother’s Day!

 

Nature of the week:

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Text and photos © 2024 Karyn Henley. All rights reserved.

From Thorns to Flowers

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I have a daydream of the present moment, the now. In that dream, we stand with hands cupped before us, holding what we thought were the thorns of the past. But they’ve turned into fragrant flowers. As we cradle these flowers in our palms, something marvelous happens: the petals become wings, and with one joyful toss of our cupped hands, we send them flying away. And when we lower our hands, we realize that, in spite of everything we let go, our hands are not empty. They are full of mystery and grace and hope enough to fuel our next steps and fill our hearts with peace.

Nurture peace, cultivate kindness, and carry the calm.

 

Nature of the week:

Shadow of the Week:

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Text and photos © 2022 Karyn Henley. All rights reserved.

Turning Ruts into Adventures

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“There was a warm sunset over the wooded valleys,

a yellowish tinge on the pines.

Reddish dun-coloured clouds like dusky flames stood over it. . .

Before, I walked in the ruts of travel;

now I adventured.”

Henry David Thoreau

 

A French saying commonly attributed to writer Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr says, “Some people are always grumbling because roses have thorns: I am grateful that thorns have roses.” G.K. Chesterton made the same point in a different way: “An adventure is an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is an adventure wrongly considered.” We can choose to see thorns or roses, inconveniences or adventures. We might as well choose roses and adventures.

Pay attention. See adventure. Nurture peace, cultivate loving kindness, and carry the calm.

Nature of the week:

Shadow of the Week:

If you want me to send these thoughts to your email each Sunday, simply sign up on the right.

For my posts on life, faith, and the mystery we call God, link here.

 

Text and photos © 2017 Karyn Henley. All rights reserved.