Roses have thorns, but we learn to be wary of them. As we hold a rose, sometimes unexpectedly a thorn pierces our flesh and tiny drops of blood appear and we are wounded. But we learn to handle this flower gently, carefully, so as to avoid the sting of the thorns. Warily, we clasp the rose stem as we bring the beautiful and fragrant blossom closer in order to scrutinize in detail this lovely creation and to inhale its fragrance deeply.

So, too, it is with our memories. There are sad ones that we skirt gingerly, as we handle the thorny rose. There are bad ones that prick our thoughts and make our hearts bleed anew. But as we learn to deal with those, just as we become used to handling our rose, we can bring memories of good times and days and years of past happiness more fully into our hearts. Thus, the most cherished moments of the past become like the beauty of the rose – something to fill us with a sense of wonder and feeling of thankfulness that God has given us some very precious days in our lives, just as he graced the stem of thorns with the radiant crown we call the rose.