Dead Roses and Perspective

Some days just don’t go right and today is one of those days.

I was already running behind this morning after barely sleeping last night, worried about my family in India.

And then I looked outside.

My rose bushes apparently have some sort of virus.

The same rose bushes I have admired for years, the ones that have brought me immense joy, season after season, are now infected with something called “rose rosette disease.

My once very beautiful Roses.

For those who have never heard of it, rose rosette disease causes roses to grow strangely deformed stems, leaves, and flowers. It slowly destroys the plant.

Anyone else ever dealt with this?

If you would like to read more about it , here is a link.

Rose Rosette Disease: Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention

I have twelve rose bushes.

The virus infected bushes now.

And now, all of them have to be removed. To make matters worse, we cannot plant anything else there for a few seasons so the virus can completely die out.

I am heartbroken.

I found myself deeply upset over my dying roses… until I reminded myself that while my problems feel heavy in the moment, they are still small compared to what many others are carrying.

I have a roof over my head.
Cool air in this summer heat.
Food on my table.
Clean water to drink.
A safe place to sleep tonight.

Safety.
Family.
Comfort.

Somewhere tonight, someone is praying for the things I take for granted every single day.

Somebody is worrying about rent, illness, safety, or loneliness.
Somebody would gladly trade their problems for my dead roses.

That realization does not erase my frustrations, but it humbles me.

It reminds me that gratitude and disappointment can exist together. We can acknowledge what hurts while still appreciating what remains.

Maybe life is not about pretending everything is perfect.

Maybe it is about learning to hold both truths at once:

“Yes, this day was difficult.”

And also:

“Yes, I am still blessed.”

The roses may bloom again someday.

And even if they don’t, there is still so much beauty left to notice.

Have you ever had a moment where something small upset you, but then life reminded you how much you still have to be grateful for?

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