One of the rose shrubs in my garden has had a tough time of winter.
It lost most of its leaves to disease, and was further damaged by the January storms. Not to mention the attack it had to endure from my pruning shears. It’s been left a ragged, unlovely twist of stem and thorn.
And yet, it is not dead.
As spring approaches, something within its cells is saying Now.
Something within its sleepy green mind is saying Yes.
And new leaves are beginning to grow.
And a few months from now… it is hard to describe how lovely. How the pink will be a shock of new delight each morning. How the fragrance swimming in the warm sun will be like a thousand dreams remembered.
Of course, I’m not just talking about a rose here.
Hold on, you who have been winter-wrecked.
You are not dead.
Spring approaches, and beyond.
Gideon Heugh
Gideon Heugh 