I’ve mentioned the park walks that our retirement community sponsors every Saturday morning. These walks let me explore Seattle’s city and county parks and get to know my new environment.
Earlier this month, we went to the Woodland Park Rose Garden. Even though August is past the prime rose season, it was absolutely gorgeous. Roses. Lilies. Sunflowers. Hydrangeas. Even purple coneflowers like we used to have in our front yard. Some flowers were showy, and some were demure. Some were bright, and some were pale. Some were old varieties, and some were new hybrids. All were beautiful.
But my favorites were the yellow roses. I’ve always loved yellow roses. I’m told they symbolize friendship, joy, and happiness—all positive emotions. Yellow is not one of my favorite colors, but yellow roses always make me smile.
I sent my grandmother yellow roses when my grandfather died, just because I love them. Maybe a funeral does not evoke joy or happiness, but she seemed to like them. I remember them both when I see yellow roses.
I carried a bouquet with yellow roses on my wedding day, which was a happy occasion. My groom and my father wore yellow rose boutonnières. Yellow roses bring our wedding day to mind again.
As I walked around the Woodland Park Rose Garden taking pictures, I focused on the yellow roses and all the memories they evoked. It was a morning of joy and happiness.
What flowers are your favorites? Why?
Sunflowers. They seem to be one of the few happy looking flowers.
I love roses too, and wildflowers, and many others.