The Rose, by Bet Midler

Some say love, it is a river
that drowns the tender reed.
Some say love, it is a razor
that leaves your soul to bleed.
Some say love, it is a hunger,
an endless aching need.
I say love, it is a flower,
and you its only seed.

It's the heart afraid of breaking
that never learns to dance.
It's the dream afraid of waking
that never takes the chance.
It's the one who won't be taken,
who cannot seem to give,
and the soul afraid of dyin'
that never learns to live.

When the night has been too lonely
and the road has been to long,
and you think that love is only
for the lucky and the strong,
just remember in the winter
far beneath the bitter snows
lies the seed that with the sun's love
in the spring becomes the rose.

I read a blog about a traditional family rose bush. Cuttings pasted on unto three generation.
Today a had a "rose" in my Sister.
It would be a long story to tell but we have been strangers more than what anyone might think of as sisters, for more years than not. It was a year or so I opened my family and self back up to a relationship with her after an invitation to her wedding. Our lives were marked with abuse and we were raised as enemies. When we came together she was so very thrilled and generous and kind as too give me a very expensive and valuable embroidery machine. I had to return it to her for these reasons
1. I needed it to never have an inch of even an appearance that My Love toward her could in any way be thought of as something less than unconditional.
So even in My thrill of such a gift I could not in good conscience keep it. That really hurt her. I hope that some day she could understand where I was coming from. OH I really liked that machine. I have used a wonderful 1957 Phaff for all my married years and been grateful for it. At the time with homeschooling and the childrens therapies I could not even learn how to use it. It was my understanding that it had been sold afterward. I often wished on many levels I could have been able to receive. it
2. My ability to trust has a big wound in it.

Today she was having a yard sale fly er to pass around and there on it was the machine listed. I called my husband and we purchased it! I am so excited for myself but sad for her. I think she may not understand why I just had to start the relationship free, she expressed the joy of giving it at the time, and assured me no strings but, I had to be true to all that was screaming inside of me that it signaled danger for the relationship to keep it.
Now it is mine and it is free of any ............ Well I live by this.
"Owe not man except to love him" I think I had to walk in love toward her for a year or so before I was safe with her. I received from her today. It was nice not to feel afraid.
To see the rose after winter.