Your gentle faces and patient smiles
With sadness we recall
You had a kindly word for each
And died beloved by all.

The voice is mute and stilled the heart
That loved us well and true,
Ah, bitter was the trial to part
From ones so good as you.

You are not forgotten, loved ones
Nor will you ever be
As long as life and memory last
We will remember thee.

We miss you now, our hearts are sore,
As time goes by we miss you more,
Your loving smiles, your gentle faces,
No one can fill your vacant places.

~ ~ Unknown Author ~

This is for my friend, Magnolia
 

The Story Behind The Photo

I would like to share this story with everyone.  This photo is taken at my grandfather and grandmother's graves.  My grandfather died before her so she planted this rose bush some 50 plus years ago on his grave.

Over the years as a child, we went to visit my grandfather many times.  The rose bush was always there and somehow survived the elements.  Although it never really seem to grow or really bloom much; or maybe being young, I just did not notice.

A couple of weeks ago, my sister driving by the cemetery, saw this rose bush blooming from the road!  It is larger and has more blooms than ever on it!   Most people know that in the south, it is not unusual in the fall to see roses blooming as we have warm weather longer than most do.  What is unusual is that we are in a drought where rain is very hard to come by.  So we are overjoyed at the sight of this rose bush which looks bigger and better than ever.

I take comfort in this as it lets me know that even when they leave us, they do still live on; as do our memories.  As my sister said, "She is tending her garden well!"  And The Garden was one of her favorite hymns.

Magnolia