I see a rose on a branch blooming, the background depicts a cold foggy morning.
Looking at the picture I feel hope and resilience.
Alicia had a lot to be grateful for in life, but one of her biggest reasons was her 13-year-old daughter, Sandy. Sandy had been involved in a ghastly accident on her way to school with her father. Another drunk driving incident that almost robbed Alicia of her entire family. Her husband had not been the one driving while drunk, of course; Alan never took alcohol.
Alan had died almost instantly as a result of the accident, according to the doctors, but Sandy… Sandy had been a miracle. Her heart started after stopping multiple times; she was in a coma for almost a year, and she'd had numerous surgeries and therapy sessions after waking up from that coma. She had fought really hard to stay alive for me, and she won the battle, Alicia thought to herself, smiling with tears in her eyes.
“Good morning, Mummy!” Sandy said as she waltzed into the room.
“Good morning, baby,” Alicia replied, laughing and ruffling Sandy's hair.
Anybody who wasn't aware of the incident two years ago would never have guessed it happened because Sandy had so much energy and had rarely fallen sick since. She still went for checkups, but she was totally healthy and growing into a beautiful young girl.
“I don't really like autumn, Mum; look at all the beautiful leaves shedding,” Sandy said, peeking from the kitchen window.
“You know it'll grow back, darling; it's just a coping mechanism for these trees to survive the coming winter,” Alicia replied, already busy at the stove, making breakfast for Sandy.
“Yeah, I know. I might as well enjoy walks around town before winter comes and snow covers up the beauty of nature. Let me just grab my boots,” Sandy replied, already racing back to her room.
“As long as you have breakfast first, and I'm coming with you!” her mother called after her.
“Okay, Mummy!” Sandy shouted back.
A couple of minutes later, Alicia and Sandy were outside, enjoying a nice morning walk and saying hello to the neighbors. Sandy was loved by those who knew her; she was a happy, bubbly girl who always wanted to lend a helping hand and was selfless. Qualities she'd gotten from both her parents.
“Look, Mummy,” Sandy said, gasping and running to Mrs. Adams garden, dragging her mother behind her.
“Wow,” they both said at the same time. In front of them was a rose garden, which had shed all its leaves except for one single petal that still stood, red and beautiful. The cold air and empty branch made it look even more beautiful and special.
“You know what this reminds me of?” Alicia asked her daughter. “No, Mummy,” Sandy replied, looking up to her mother with wide blue eyes.
“It reminds me of hope; it reminds me of you. You're resilient, a fighter, and a beautiful soul. Despite all you've been through, you still come out smiling and happy and grateful. You, my darling, are my beautiful, miraculous rose,” Alicia said, hugging her daughter tightly and trying not to shed tears.
“I love you, Mummy, and it reminds me of you too. You've been so strong for me since the accident. I still miss Daddy, but I know he's in a good place,” Sandy replied, hugging her mother tighter.
“Ohh, young lady. You're not going to make your mother cry. I love you too, honey, and yes, Daddy is in a good place watching over us,” Alicia replied, secretly wiping away an escaped tear.
Sandy chuckled and kissed her mother, then asked, “Do you think Mrs. Adams would mind if I took her last rose?”
“We'll have to ask her then,” Alicia replied, walking up to the Adams' door to gain permission.
“Of course, darling. And when next they bloom again, you can come over to get flowers anytime you want, kiddo,” Mrs. Adams replied happily when Sandy asked.
Mrs. Adams followed them into her garden, carefully cut the rose flower for Sandy, and waved goodbye to them. Soon enough, Alicia, Sandy, and her rose flower continued the walk home, hand in hand, laughing and ready to face the day.
