I was looking at my faded roses the other day and strange thoughts were coming to mind...These questions still bother ...The beautiful pale pink roses have started to fade very fast; they have a very short life. But aren't they beautiful even with their withering leaves and faded color? Isn't the color more intense and rich at the end of their lives?
In a way, the roses resemble our lives, human lives. Like roses we are born beautiful and fresh and as we age our beauty and vigor vanish. Aren't humans roses with short existence and fading beauty? Is that the truth?
It seems to me that we have always been more prone to connect beauty with youth only. However, looking at these gorgeous dying roses, I see in them an indisputable proof that beauty comes in all ages, shapes, and forms.
We should never ignore that fact. We should always remember that despite our ages, conditions, and circumstances we remain beautiful, don't we?
Look at these flowers, we can't figure out why they are beautiful. They just are. And right now, they are helping me to embrace aging and to understand that if I learn to honor my time on Earth and accept that I am going to fade, I have to live a better life because of it. There is no question about that, I am certain.
Someone once said that no matter what our age or condition, there are still untapped possibilities within us and new beauty waiting to be born.
We are all unique and always have something to give to the world... just like these roses...
I think the roses give me the answer: We all age, but as long as we embrace aging and we are at peace with who we are, we might fade like them, with beauty, integrity, and grace...
And don't even think that nobody is going to notice how precious your fading beauty is because "there are always beautiful flowers for those who want to see them"/Henri Matisse/
Being happy with the outcome of these photos I decided to use the images of the roses and, let's say, prolong their lives by creating a postcard for a friend who soon is going to celebrate her birthday.
Youth is happy because it has the ability to see beauty. Anyone who keeps the ability to see beauty never grows old.
- Kafka, Franz
Embrace aging, dear friend, and know that beauty fades, but only the one that doesn't come from inside.
You are special and you will always be beautiful! Just ask your 3-year old.
Such beautiful images and such a heartfelt post. Have a lovely pink Saturday.
ReplyDeleteThank you , Sweet Bee Cottage . I am glad you visited me ! Happy Pink Saturday to you !
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post, great pics and words to live by-thanks:@)
ReplyDeleteI love all your pinks and that card is just lovely. Very sweet. Happy Pink Saturday.
ReplyDeleteSylvia, I don't know where your pretty card is going in Europe, but in my imagination I see a pair of hands, with age spots, wrinkles and veins showing, but those hands have held kindness and hugs, they've decorated parties and given their love, the card in hand is of wisdom my friend for your story is as timeless as the ages with grace your gift spreads over the oceans and into blogland, may an angel and a dove carry your withering rosebod to heaven above. Blessings Terri www.morningdewdrops.typepad.com
ReplyDeleteOk.. I don't know if you got me at the photos.. or Life begins at 40....
ReplyDeleteI am in awe of your pictures.... they are just unreal... your friend is one special person to be receiving such a card...
Smiles~
Cricket
Hello Sylvia~ So eloquently stated. I love the comparisons to us and the aging process. Still retaining our beauty even when our physical bodies are changing...the inner beauty remains beautifully ageless.
ReplyDeleteI've a passion for roses....
http://sarasweetsurprise.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2010-08-25T16%3A26%3A00-07%3A00&max-results=5
Hello Sylvia,
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful post! I found your blog on the Lovely blog linky at Count your blessings. I am now following :0)
What gorgeous pictures!! And I couldn't agree more... maturity is beautiful. It is indeed lovely over here! Thank you for sharing your link. Blessings... Polly
ReplyDeleteHi Sylvia,
ReplyDeleteI just found you on Beach Cottage's Wednesday Linky Party!
I must say that you have some of the most lovely pictures, and I am so glad to see your 'Fading Beauty' sequence.
I am a horticulturist and photographer, and many of my most favorite pictures of plants and flowers are after they hit their peak - I actually have one of them on my blog (http://kellyash.typepad.com/) now.
I often think imperfections actually make an image prettier and more interesting - or maybe its just because I relate to it. :)
So glad I stopped by!
Lovely post and beautiful photos, Sylvia!
ReplyDeleteDearest Sylvia,
ReplyDeleteI would have come immediately yesterday to greet you, but it was a long day and night for me....thank you for coming to visit from Zuzu's blog, and then leaving a message! I love it when people leave messages so that I can discover THEM! And your world is a treasure found! Your photography is stunning. I want to one day develop my skills, but for now, I have at least honed my abilities to find pictures that suit my taste and what I want to convey. AND I did a post similar to this last year called PATINA....we start thinking about these things as we age, but I am truly convinced that age is beauty, just as an antique that is desired....the more patina, the more it is worth. Lovely, lovely words and thoughts and thank you for visiting and joining. I look forward to seeing more of your work!
Have a splendid day new friend! Anita
This is an exquisite post. Your photos and the meaning touches my heart.
ReplyDeleteHappy Pink Saturday, Sylvia.
Very pretty your pictures here, you've captuterd these fading roses just perferctly!
ReplyDeleteI shall never look at a faded rose the same. Thanks for a lovely post. (Lovely photos)
ReplyDeleteKelly
This is gorgeous! I love the note card you created. You had me at the first shot. Just a beautiful post. love the sentiment too. Very nice!
ReplyDeleteSherry
I AGREE!!! One of the most important goals of mine are to age gracefully. In this age of youth worship it is challenging, but then I think about some of the most beautiful women that I know- they are in their 70's and 80's, but their Beauty shines bright! Thanks for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteThose roses are Gorgeous! And the card you made is so special.
Such a pretty Friday Pretty!
Joyce
You are 100% correct about we.... who are "of age"...very MEANINGFUL words.
ReplyDeleteAnd SO LOVE your BEAUTIFUL rose images.
You are an artist my friend. Lucky the lady who is receiving your card.
You must come over and visit my blog...when you have a few minutes...and be sure to look back into my older posts..you will find aged roses not only there, but on my sidebar as well.
SO HAPPY I FOUND YOU TODAY... (just blog hopping around.)
Had to join your blog immediately.
Rose
Hmmm wonder why I did not see this on Saturday? I loved your Tuesday post and had to go back and look at this one. You lovely lady, have a gift I so admire. The ability to take stunning photos and match them with equally stunning, though provoking words that reach our souls, well especially mine. I will never look at a fading rose the same way again. Thank you for sharing your gifts with us.
ReplyDeleteThanks for these peaceful minutes spent reading your beautiful post and listening to this relaxing music.
ReplyDeleteYour rose photos are truly beautiful and the birthday card is exquisite too.
Welcome to Macro Flowers Saturday, hope you'll share you next beautiful post too, with us.
Beauty never fades. Your roses are so pretty! Beautiful presentation on your blog post.
ReplyDeleteSimply beautiful, Sylvia!
ReplyDeleteI feature faded blooms too and made a similar comment about them.
And I make my own cards too. It adds a special touch.
And fading flowers can be dried and made into potpourris!