Rose jar holds memories of joyful times

For Dylan and Julie:

I

freely admit that I stole the idea of a \"rose jar\" from the poet Emma

Lou Thayne, who's had one in her family since the beginning of time.

What's a rose jar, you ask?

It's

a container used to store dried rose petals: Every time there's a

family event where roses are involved, you save a few petals and toss

them onto the mix.

It's a wonderful idea, and I'm so grateful to the luminous Ms. Thayne for sharing it with others.

My

own rose jar is a big earthenware jug that sits in front of our

fireplace. To date, it contains a floral compost commemorating (but not

limited to!) births, deaths, proms, graduations, holidays and warm

summers past when I could step out on my front porch and smell coral

roses scenting the afternoon air.

(Take my word for it ... if you plant a hybrid tea variety called Fragrant Cloud, you will NOT be disappointed.)

Sometimes at the end of a given event, I almost forget to save a petal or two.

You know how it is.

You get busy — eager to clean up and move on to the next thing.

Other

times, however, the harvesting of those petals is more thoughtful, more

deliberate because the moment they represent is so dear to your heart.

My husband and I were married 33 years ago this spring.

At our wedding breakfast my grandmother stood up and read this speech, which I quote in its entirety.

Well, I have toasted a lot of bread in my life, but I have never toasted a bride to be!

I hope, Ann, that I don't burn you.