Mary Nelson or Ma for short, my grandmother. She taught me many things while growing up. She taught me manners, she taught me math, she taught me goodwill, she taught me how to be kind, she taught me to be generous, and most importantly, she taught me how to grow flowers.

Ma taught me all of that and more but the one thing I will always remember her for is the flower. It started off with simple flowers and then I gradually worked my way up to rose bushes. The rose bushes required a lot of care and patience. Constant watering, trimming, fertilizing, and when the summer was over you had to cover them up to protect then from freezing.

So more specifically I will remember her for the roses. Such a beautiful flower the rose and as far as I am concerned, the rose came from Ma, Mary Nelson. Grandma also taught me to pass it on. "Pass in on?" I would question as I was trying to give back the #20 bill she had just handed me. "Yes, pass it on to your children and grandchildren, " she would say.

Ok I will pass it on. I am going to pass on the knowledge of growing roses, creating beauty in your own backyard. A beauty which leads to happiness. Go ahead try looking at a rose and not smile. That is what I will pass on, the happiness that my grandmother brought into my life. The happiness of her generosity, kindness and the simple beauty of just growing a rose.

So as I teach another and another how to care for their roses, I will always be sure to remind them that I am doing this because of, what Grandma said.

So long Ma and thanks for all the roses!