Kim Wilbanks

How Many Roses Are Too Many?

I’m a collector of things.  I collect seashells, dolls, books and pretty paper.  I used to collect pigs.  That started in the fourth grade after reading Charlotte’s Web.  I also collect, or more accurately, save, dried roses.

I love flowers.  I love to receive flowers.  Peonies, tulips, ranunculas, roses; I love them all.  I’ve noticed something though.  In the various bouquets I have received over the years, while many of the blooms deteriorate and are easily discarded, I can’t seem to let go of the roses.  Even after their color has faded from once vibrant red, coral, cream or even lavender; there is a certain beauty that remains as they dry.  

At some point, I started saving them.  I let them dry then put them in glass vases.  I wasn’t sure what to do with them, I just had trouble letting go — especially the tiny sweetheart roses.  I have them scattered around the house in glass vases or glass bowls on different shelves.  They remind me of friends and family who cheered me up when I had surgery, special birthday wishes and just tokens of love.  I know they are simply dried up flowers but I find them to be beautiful in a vintage sort of way.

Decorating For The Seasons

This past Christmas, I decided to set my dining room table with some Christmas dishes I have.  I think, like many, I was doing all I could to make the season joyful, bright and merry in spite of the pandemic looming over us.  I was also inspired by a dear friend who decorates her dining table for each season.  We never actually used the table but it looked really nice, much better than when it ends up being the dropping-off station of any number of items I may be moving upstairs.

When it came time to put all of the Christmas decorations away, my husband commented on how nice the dining room table looked and suggested that we keep it set.  (I think he was trying to make sure I didn’t let it get piled up with stuff again.)  I changed the tablecloth and removed the Christmas dishes.  I found some other napkins and ordered seasonal napkin rings.  I put my three-tiered stand in the middle of the table.  But, something was missing.

As I was poking around my closets, looking for a suitable table decoration, I found the rose buds and petals I had saved.  They were the perfect solution.  I displayed them on the stand in the middle of the table.  The muted colors make for a beautiful, serene setting.

Faded Roses: A Picture Of Life

I noticed something as I was working with the roses.  They were old and could probably been thrown away.  The color was faded, only the slightest touch of their original color remained.  They were delicate and almost falling apart.  Even so, as I worked with these delicate, dried roses, I caught a hint of their remaining fragrance.

It made me think about life.  As you may know, I recently celebrated one of those big decade birthdays.  Reaching that milestone year and also being an empty nest mom made me wonder if I had anything left to offer.  I’m past my colorful prime so to speak.

The roses reminded me otherwise.  Yes, they are old, more fragile and in some ways falling apart.  No, they are not as vibrant and colorful as they once were.  But, there is a beauty to them that speaks of times past, of cherished memories and when taken off the shelf and put to use, a fragrance still comes through.

After I finished writing this blog, my husband came home with some roses for me for Valentine’s Day. I guess I’ll be adding to my collection in a week or so.