Roses in the Right Hands

Yesterday, Aaron and I had so much fun making our annual delivery of Valentine roses to Paradigm, his day group.  The roses are given by our local Dillon’s store, made possible by our sweet friend, Jody.  

I have more fun with this than Aaron does.  He gets nervous about it, wanting things to go just so-so according to his perceived plans.

“Mom,” he told me on our way to Paradigm, “boys shouldn’t get roses.”

“Boys can have a rose if they want one,” I replied.

“But I see only women as being for roses,” he countered.

Oh Aaron.  

So, you can see that Aaron had his mind made up about how this should operate.  I gave him a little pre-event briefing as we drove there, and all was well as far as the guys getting a rose from Aaron.

The roses put smiles on many faces on this Valentine’s Day.  I never capture it in pictures the way I would like but here are a few shots.

Even Piper, the dog, had a rose offered to him by Aaron.

When I watch Aaron’s friends, either at Paradigm or elsewhere, I am so touched by each of their physical struggles.  Recently, Aaron casually mentioned a big change for one of his friends.  It hit me hard.  I wanted to hide behind a closed door away from Aaron and just cry for this dear person.

I watch these special friends of Aaron’s when I pick him up at the end of his day.  Many of their struggles are physical and easily seen.  Some are not so visible but are there just the same.  

I am inspired by their strength amid their daily difficulties…how they accept their situations and keep going…how they laugh and hug and give of themselves to each other.

I saw a quote about a rose that I loved.

“A rose doesn’t talk about its beauty; it just shows it.”

When I look at our special ones, I see a unique kind of beauty.  They don’t know how beautiful they really are…beautiful in the ways that count.  

They don’t talk about their beauty, but they certainly show it in how they love and how they live with resilience and acceptance and strength.  

They’re not held up by the world as models of fame and beauty.  

They don’t swoosh in on a red carpet, cameras flashing, people clapping, gushing with their own vain glory, the subject of tomorrow’s headlines and news reels and parades.

But oh, they show a beauty that far exceeds the gaudy, self-serving lives that are idolized by so much of the world.  

I would give them a million roses if I could, but I hope that the one rose they received yesterday reminds them that they are the true beauties of this world…and they show it every day without saying a word.

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Author: Patty hesaidwhatks

I'm Patty and I write about our adult son who has Epilepsy and Autism, who still lives with my husband and me, and who is a package full of many surprises and joys and challenges and TALK! Lots of talking, which creates laughter and some other reactions as well. I also write about how God shows Himself to me in everyday life.

23 thoughts on “Roses in the Right Hands”

  5. A beautiful heart is the most beautiful thing in the world. It does not seek glory for itself because true joy is always in the giving…and the giving…and the giving. The ‘special ones’ remind us of true beauty because their hearts are open and they have nothing to hide. They give with all they have, and I think that scares some people. Their hands and hearts are open and not closed. Their feelings are real, and not concealed. (What a beautiful Valentine’s day that you had….)

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  7. Such a moving story, Patty, celebrating Beauty–in the quiet persistence of these dear ones, the eager joy with which Aaron distributes the roses, and the gracious kindness of all who serve, all who give. Thank you for touching our hearts today!

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  8. I love that a rose is so simple in beauty—some tightly coiled petals, a stem and some leaves and the necessary survival needs, that it!!…when compared to our lives, a rose doesn’t go for all the extra jazz that so many feel necessary…it just finds and shows beauty with what it’s been given, much like the special people in our lives. ❤️
    Great reminder, Patty!

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  9. I love the quote you mentioned, “A rose doesn’t talk about its beauty; it just shows it.” I enjoyed your words about Aaron’s friends. We could learn a lot from them and the beauty they offer to our world. 🌹

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