The Scent of Gratitude

The author finds a profound sense of gratitude and connection through the scent of two new rose bushes in her garden. These roses, one with red blooms and another white, were planted months ago, and she anxiously awaited their survival through harsh weather and her own inexperience with gardening.

Planted on her late mother's birthday, the roses serve as a poignant reminder of her mother's love for roses and her sometimes challenging presence. The author hopes the roses' beauty will bridge the gap between difficult memories of her mother's advice and the current, painful absence she feels. She likens their arrival to a gift from Asteroid B-612, referencing the home of the Little Prince.

As the red rose buds open and the white one elegantly blooms, a nightly ritual of conversation begins. The author waters them with memories of her mother, and the roses embrace her with their fragrance. This exchange fosters mutual gratitude. Recalling the Little Prince's words, "It is the time you have wasted for your rose that makes your rose so important," she recognizes the unique value of her own roses.

Their scent whispers her unspoken emotions, prompting a deep question: Why express gratitude only after a loved one is gone? She wonders if this is common in parent-child relationships and if roses exist to remind us of the beautiful scent of love. The roses, she feels, are special, mirroring the unique bond she shared with her mother.

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It is the time you have wasted for your rose that makes your rose so important.