Betty's Smile

Hello Friends!

Today I have something very special to share with you. It is bitter sweet, and comes with tears of joy mingled with rivers of sadness and grief.

Last October, as some of you know, I lost my darling mother to that most awful of diseases that suddenly seems to be reaching pandemic proportions, Dementia. I do not know a family that has not been devastated by this dreadful disease, and nearly every day now I am hearing of yet another friend, or friend of a friend, who has received a diagnosis.

I pray every day for a cure; I send healing love to anyone who is affected by Dementia, and especial love to the care givers.

My dear cousins wanted to give me something very special to remember her by, and a few months ago, a parcel arrived at my cottage, and contained within was a large pot with a rose shrub for my cottage garden.

I wept floods of tears when I read the name of the rose, "Betty's Smile".  Betty was my mother's pet name, and when I wrote her eulogy, I spoke of how her smile could light up a room, for she had a very beautiful smile that complimented her sparkling eyes. She loved roses. It could not be a more perfect gift.

As my garden is in that state of limbo where work is being done, and things moved, I have potted it up into a huge pot to give it plenty of growing room while I pick the perfect spot to put it in the ground.

Just this week, the first beautiful bloom opened, a delicate cream touched with palest pink. Mum would have adored it, for it is gently fragrant too. I hope she is looking down on it, with love.

Until next time
Deborah xo