I Like Thursday Post # 42 ~ In the Midst of Winter

This is a rosebud.

It is on the mini tea rose bush that one of my sons gave me last fall.

It sits on my south facing kitchen windowsill

which is sunny, but also very cold,

and bitterly cold at night.

When I saw this pretty little rosebush, my first thought was that it beautiful

and my son was thoughtful because he knows how much I love my rosebushes.

My second thought was, "How am I going to keep it alive this winter?"

I have not had much luck with this type of mini tea rose gift in the past,

I have even tried to plant them in sheltered sunny places in the garden

and winterize them.  None still live and bloom.

There is more to this story.

The son who gave it to me was going though a difficult health crisis at the time.

Somehow keeping his gift alive took on more meaning that just enjoying a pretty plant.

I decided that I would do my best to help it flourish,

even though my nourishing skills feel inadequate sometimes.

This rosebud is a sign of hope.

And my son is doing well. 

“In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer.

And that makes me happy. 

For it says that no matter how hard the world pushes against me, 

within me, there’s something stronger – something better, 

pushing right back.”  ― Albert Camus

This has been a favorite quote

since I was in college. 

It is a personal anthem. 

Linking up today with the 

I Like Thursday Bloggers @ Not Afraid of Color

and enjoying life's kindnesses and blessings.

Happy Thursday!