Take Time to Smell the Roses

My husband and I recently lost what I call the cornerstones of the family – my husband’s mom and dad, who I also consider my mom and dad. It’s been less than three months since mom passed, and while dad had heart health issues, we truly believe he passed away from a broken heart.

Like most family owned and run businesses, my in-laws had two important relationships, one being their marriage and the other as business partners. They lived their faith in all aspects of their lives, and family was everything to them. They ran their RV business with integrity and were respected and trusted in the community. We were so blessed to have them both as mentors when we started our own towing business.    How lucky we were to be able to just make a phone call to ask for advice.

As I took a rose from the spray of flowers on my father-in-law’s casket, it hit me as to what that rose symbolized. Life is full of thorns, but filled with immense beauty. A quote from Kahlil Gibran seems to sum up an important lesson learned from my in-laws: “The optimist sees the rose and not its thorns – the pessimist stares at the thorns, oblivious to the rose.”

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, I encourage you to let your parents know you love and appreciate them, and please, take time to smell the roses.