The Rose

I've no idea why my mind has gone here, 

but I almost feel like I can't say another word until I do. 

So... this is for me, you, whoever 

is in need of reading this today.

I don't know what sort of music or other things really helped my Grandma to cope through the craziness of life, but I do know that later on in years The Rose by Bette Midler was one of her favorite songs.

This has also become one of my favorites, almost for as long as I can remember. I recall being surprised that Grandma loved this song - probably because of it's origin. 

It has meant many different things to me over the years; as I'm sure it did for Grandma. Though I feel comfort and peace from it, it also manages to always make me cry... a healing cry.

This song makes me think of: 

• my military husband and other military families
• specific people from years gone by
• loss
• big failures that turned out to be a good thing in the long run
• continually overcoming living a life of fear
• addictions
• hard fought and won battles
• bittersweet victories

Mostly I find a great deal of hope in the fact that when all is said and done, Spring comes and so does growth, life, and Mother Earth's energy in full bloom.

                                "The Rose"

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 its 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 dyin'
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 snows
Lies the seed that with the sun's love
In the spring becomes the rose.