The Unknown Rose
For my Father’s 70th birthday, he wanted to go down to the family burial plot in Lodi, California. My father rarely spoke of his Mother. She had died in childbirth when he was very young, leaving few memories to pass down. On the drive down, I realized I didn’t even know my grandmother’s name. I asked my dad, and he said “Rose”. Reflecting on my own life, roses were a dominant theme, woven throughout the important times and passages of my life. Prom jewelry, wedding announcements, furniture and draperies all had roses. The last thing my mother bought was a rose bush. It had one blossom on it when she died. We placed the rose with her. I have been touched by the rose and felt it important to honor my “Unknown Rose.” The show was one where each painting was of a rose or had a rose in the composition. I decorated the gallery with my lace rose draperies and wicker furniture, which of course, had printed rose cushions. There was a violinist, a garland of roses arching the entrance and bouquets of roses throughout the gallery. It was elegant and lovely. Family I hadn’t seen in years came to Reno to honor Grandmother Rose, making the day exceptional.