The Rose by betsisanders 09

Title: The Rose
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
Size: 8x11 inches
Artist: betsisanders 09

THE ROSE

The rose is one of my favorite flowers. It symbolizes love, life, friendship & relationships.

LOVE.... I received three red roses in the summer of 1982. It came with a card where these words were written, “Life is like a flower, of which love is the honey and I am the B...” The card was unsigned but I knew who sent the flowers because I recognized the handwriting. It came from Boyet, my better half and ultimate best friend.

LIFE ... the rose starts as a small bud --- a child; it blooms and opens itself, emits a delicate scent, becomes the most beautiful flower --- a young girl, a lovely lady... this is her moment, her time, her greatest and most beautiful stage; after some time, it wilts, dries up, and each petal begins to fall one by one --- an old woman who is at the end of her journey.

FRIENDSHIPS & RELATIONSHIPS ... all friendships & relationships are never without trials or difficulties, these are like the thorns of the rose. Each thorn is carefully removed by the florist before the rose can be artfully wrapped, then given by a young suitor to a lovely lady, or to someone celebrating her birthday, or one who is recuperating from an illness, ..... Let our mistakes, worries, problems and pain be discarded like the thorns of the rose. Let those trials and suffering become learning experiences. Let them aid us in becoming stronger and better individuals. Let these obstacles become our teachers , that guide us as we go through our journey. These thorns are best removed, discarded, thrown away. Stay away from miserable, unhappy people who pull you down and hurt you.They are like those thorns on the rose. See how much lighter and happier you will become, when the 'thorns' have all been taken away.

“Thorns are potential roses. Roses are thorns that opened up. Every day, let us turn whatever thorns we encounter into roses, so that at the end of the day, at the end of our lives, we will be carrying more roses than thorns. How do we do that? Whenever we accept a thorn, forgive, reach out, open up and surrender it to the Lord --- thus a thorn becomes a rose. Wishing you more roses and less thorns in your life”.... 　（I came across this paragraph as I read the Sunday paper , written by Father Jerry Orbos, SVD.)

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It's my Dad's 80^th birthday today. My sisters, their families and some relatives are celebrating his special day with a surprise party on Sunday. It would be real nice if I could be with them, too :( but since I can't, let me just offer this painting and a few words for my Dad, BENTOL, short for Ben Tolentino.

Thanks Dad for being the 'great provider', not just for your three daughters but for your relatives, friends, even co-workers. You showered all those you love with material things, provided them with all their needs and wants, even spoiled them too much. You may not have been the perfect father, but you did what you can, the best way you knew, to show that you loved us all very dearly. I wish you more birthdays and the best of health always. I'll see you soon Dad. Take care and we love you :)

November 20, 2009 / betsisanders 09.... live love and party :)