As I mentioned in a previous posting to the list, we buried Macalester’s ashes between her two favorite roses. One of the roses, a Henry Hudson, was dying — I noticed it the week Macalester started to fail. At the time of Macalester’s burial, I had cut it back to the point where it was essentially three sticks coming out of the ground — the only part of this huge rose that had survived.
I am happy to report that Henry Hudson lives! The rose is coming back strong and has many new branches. Perhaps I will have a rose bud sometime late this summer. I think the combination of rainfall and Macalester’s ashes have helped this bush come back to life.
And there is another miracle — a week ago I noticed a tiny sprout has come out of the ground, at Macalester’s burial spot. But it is growing fast and strong — it is 8 inches tall now, and is most definitely another Henry Hudson. I don’t know if it is a shoot of the main bush, or if it is one of the seed pods from the bush has taken hold.
Seeing these roses become vigorous plants makes my heart glad. You see, about 6 months ago, before she became ill, Macalester walks up to me in the kitchen, looked me in the eye, and said with her eyes, “I won’t be here long”. I told my husband about it, as it seemed so silly as Macalester seemed to be the picture of health. But she was right.
But then, she may not be physically with me, but that strong, stubborn Scottie spirit seems to have become part of those Henry Hudson roses. And she is still with me. When they finally bloom, I’ll bet the roses will smell twice as sweet.
Carol Anne