That's What Shell Said

7-ish years ago we purchased our current home from my grandparents. Over the years we have been working on renovating, repairing and turning this old house into our home.

We have changed just about every component of this home so far, but in all these years we have never touched this rose bush. This is one that my Grandpa planted years ago. Honestly, I don’t think he expected it to survive for long after we bought it because he dug up a lot of his plants to take with him to his new house.

That rose bush is kind of pitiful. First off, it’s all by itself. There are no rocks or edging around it.. and no other plants nearby. It’s just a lonely little bush, hanging out and trying to defy the odds.

Because it’s completely secluded, this plant has been through some things. It’s been trampled on by visitors when they step out of their cars, (mostly kids). It’s been run over by our kids while riding bikes. It’s been mowed over by my husband on more than one occasion and yet, it comes right back, like nothing ever happened.

The other day, I was walking to my car and a beautiful dark pink bloom caught the corner of my eye. I couldn’t help but smile at that persistent plant. It made me think… how many times has life pushed me down and I have been able to pull myself back up? I may be going through a hard time right now, but like that rose bush, I know that I can and I will bloom again.

There have been plenty of moments in my life that could have destroyed me.

I became a mom at 17. I thought I’d never overcome it. But instead, I managed to graduate early, find a job, and support myself and my baby as a single teen mom.

At 24, I got a divorce. I had no job, no home, no money, no car. I had to borrow money to pay for my divorce attorney. I had to file bankruptcy. My kids and I had to live with my grandparents in their spare bedroom. I was so mad because I didn’t want to be a statistic. I didn’t want my second daughter to grow up with a broken family. But, at the end of the day there was no way to reverse the damage that was done. I started my life over with nothing to my name but our clothes, the kid’s toys and $115. I was depressed. I lost 30 pounds in matter of months. I look back and always think of that at my lowest point.

I thought my life was ruined… but here I am 13 years later and life is so good. I have been married to my best friend for 11 years. We bought the same house that I had to move into when I had nothing at all. We have molded and shaped it and changed it to be something that we are proud of. I get to stay at home with my girls and I get to create for a side hustle. I get to drive them to practice and watch their dance performances. I get to be a present mom. I never dreamed that this would be my life today.

Listen, if you are going through a hard season in your life, I want to encourage you to remember that this is only a season, not a life sentence. These trials, these tribulations, this soul crushing events make us who we will eventually be. Does that make what you are going through suck less? Of course not. But, I promise you there is a light at the end of this tunnel.

Keep going. Keep growing. Keep blooming. Even in you think no one is watching. Even if you think no one cares. Even if you are alone. You literally never know who is watching in awe as you rise back from the ashes. You might be giving someone else the encouragement to make it another day.

Keep blooming. I’m so proud of you.

And yes… I will be adding some rocks around that bush to help protect it a little.