I don't know about you, but my husband and I have never come across a cut rose that has not withered by the 3rd week. 

THIS rose, is still standing strong!  And if you look closely, you might notice baby shoots growing off the stem - how's that for an amazing rose?

Perhaps its resilience in beauty is a direct reflection of the person it was given in memory of, in honor of, as part of a "Celebration of Life" ceremony which our good friend invited us to attend exactly 4 weeks ago, for his father who had passed on.

I've never met our friend's father.  However throughout the tranquil, heartfelt, simple ceremony, it felt as if the very essence of presence was still very much alive - in the form of the energy of peace.  It did feel like he didn't pass "away" - he passed on to the world, his peace which he cultivated and nurtured as a human being.

Having attended the ceremony, and having this rose in our home whose beauty persisted like we've never seen before, has made me even more inspired to simply be the peace I know myself to be.  Likewise, with this subtle, moving experience, the knowing within me that my brothers and sisters in the family of humanity are in essence, peace, love, and celebration, has strengthened.  Interestingly, I do feel a quiet celebration of sorts.

Such a powerful perfume I feel he has imparted to the world... and to this, I really want to say, Thank You.  Thank You for the peace you left alive imprinted in this world.  I never met you, and yet I've received your heartfelt blessing of being Peace which I can feel you were when mortal, and spread forth powerfully when you transitioned from the physical plane.  Thank You endlessly.

And Thank You to our friend who invited us to his father’s Celebration of Life.