My favorite song of all time has been “The Rose” by Bette Midler from the moment I first heard it:

Some say love, it is a river
that drowns the tender reed
Some say love, it is a razor
that leaves your soul to bleed
Some say love, it is a hunger
an endless aching need
I say love, it is a flower
and you, it’s only seed

It’s the heart, afraid of breaking
that never learns to dance
It’s the dream, afraid of waking
that never takes the chance
It’s the one who won’t be taken
who cannot seem to give
And the soul, afraid of dying
that never learns to live

When the night has been too lonely
and the road has been too long
And you think that love is only
for the lucky and the strong
Just remember in the winter
far beneath the bitter snow
Lies the seed that with the sun’s love,
In the spring becomes the rose

I cannot explain why but I felt led to take out my mother’s rose necklace today.  I have blogged previously about the significance behind it.  She never took it off from the day Daddy gave it to her until she had to go into assisted living on Valentine’s Day in 2011.  I remember her telling me she wanted me to have it and I was sickened by the thought.  I told her I would just hold on to it for her for safekeeping.  The day after Thanksgiving it will have been two years since her passing and I have still not been able to bring myself to look at Mama’s things.  When I lifted up her necklace it brought her back to me instantly and vividly in a way that was comforting and good.  It was so familiar to me; I knew every curve of gold in its petals like the freckles on my skin.  A feeling of love and gentle warmth that was my mother flooded and surrounded me like the sun.  Because of those feelings I have decided to wear it to remind myself of her daily.  My husband has remarked several times how well he thinks it looks on me and that it reminds him of my mother.  So much sadness is still buried far beneath the bitter snow but underneath it lies her love and, resting comfortably is her rose over my heart.