thankful thursday: a rose by any other name

let me start by saying

it's been a rough few weeks

getting adjusted to kenneth's new schedule

getting adjusted to my new schedule

and

experiencing the loss of my family dog

missy

while overseas

she was seventeen and a half

she lived a good life

but 

not being able to be there 

with my family

was hard

so 

when our rose bush started to bloom

i couldn't help but smile

my mom

had rose bushes 

at my childhood home

she adored her rose bushes

and tended to them almost daily 

from spring to summer

honestly

i had no idea we had a rose bush

but

i am so thankful we do

the buds are small right now

and very distinct in color

i check on the roses daily

just as my mom would have

and i've hinted to kenneth

that should he choose to cut a rose for me

to make sure he cuts

below the first stem 

with five leaves

it's something my mom would always say

so 

for now 

i wait patiently

for the buds to open

hoping that by the time 

my mimi gets here next week

i can greet her

with vase of roses

in her room

today

i'm so thankful

for 

the little surprise

that bring me back to home