Hopefully an inspirational Post........

I picked this Bouquet today? It's not as "lush" as I'd like,,,we've had more rain than sunshine and the roses aren't happy,,,,,,But the bouquet flowers are full of memories.

18 years ago today, I married the love of my life. My Karl. He was smart, gorgeous, adventuresome and for SOME darn reason thought I was Amazing. Well,,,,,maybe he took a few years to come to that conclusion,,,,,as we'd actually met /dated/sailed/dined and "played" together back when I was 21.....So some 15 years later,,,,he saw the light (or had blinder's on-we'll just say he saw the light.)

He pursued me for about a year in my mid 30's and I finally agreed to "see/date" him again. I KNEW, quite frankly, when I said "yes" to him taking me "up in a little "Tin Can" of a 2 seater Cessna,,,,,,,that I would spend the rest of my life with him.

Shortly before we were married, he transferred this rose from the house he was living in,,,,,,



I'm not much of a "Red" gal in my garden, but I loved the fact that he was "putting down roots."

When we married, we kept it fairly simple, but had bouquets of Peonies and Old Roses,,,,,,,Including this ancient bush from my yard........



I love this old Rose, we used in our wedding flowers,,that perseveres, smells like "heaven" and thrives in spite of neglect on the NORTH side of this old house.......



I have to smile, because this isn't a "Fancy Bouquet." Just clippings from my yard.
As previously mentioned, my husband was an absolutely "Gorgeous" man...one of these days I have to dig out the old photos and scan them.

And I have to smile because Karl loved trying and doing new things. The sailing, the diving, extreme skiing, cooking, photography, studying law, Eastern and Western philosophy, history, explosive engineering (in his spare time) and flying. Oh yeah,,,and the lambing in New Zealand. In other words,,,,the man lived as if life was both important,,,,,,,and short!

So? In memory of my dear Karl, I'd ask of you TWO things! Try something new,,,don't put it off. If something has been gnawing at you,,,,,DO IT! Life is Short! That's the First thing.........

And the Second? Is as much for ME as it is for him. Stay off your Cell phone while you are DRIVING! With the car accident and cell phone records and the likes, we/I never quite learned if he was talking to ME when he caused the accident that ended his life. Ended his life. Ended my life and my future dreams. So,,,,,again, I'd just ask, for me as your friend, for your family and loved ones, Hang up and Drive!

And by all means,,,pursue those dreams you've been shoving aside!

I'm not a sobbing mess as I post this. I'd do anything to have him back in my life and shake my head and smile at his antics. I'd love to have him hold me again and say all those things he say that I never felt I truly deserved. I'm sharing this because he taught me a GREAT life lesson,,,,,,Carpe Diem,,,,,seize the day, live your dreams and hold those you love a BIT tighter!

Hope this post gives you a BIT of inspiration to start your week!

Hugs, Love and a "Rosey" Bus!
Shell