Simply Me: Red Rose Day

“Did you ever know that you’re my hero

and everything I would like to be?

I can fly higher than an eagle

for you are the wind beneath my wings”

For as long as I can remember when someone close to me dies I buy a red rose in remembrance of them; either for myself or to give to their close loved one. It’s always been my favourite flower and symbolic of love.

I struggled with whether to share this blog post; suffice it to say that there are only a few of us who think of this special person on a daily basis. Exactly 21 years ago today my world came crashing down around me and I experienced feelings that I never knew existed in me. It’s taken many years and lots of love and support from friends and family, but I have overcome the sadness, the overwhelming grief, the tears and loneliness and now think of him with a smile on my face.

That day changed who I was as a person in unimaginable ways. Things happened to me that I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy but I truly believe that everything happens for a reason so I turned pain into passion and forged ahead. Trying to live my best life and teaching my kids to be humble, proud, strong adults. What doesn’t kill you definitely makes you stronger. There is no place to go but UP!

The dictionary defines a miracle as an unexpected event attributed to divine intervention; and that is exactly how I view my experience one month after Brad’s death when I gave birth to our son who today is the spitting image of his father, not only in looks but in mannerisms and personality…... There is something to be said for genetics…… and fate!