White Rose



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It’s been several months since I last visited my mother. Mom’s house is only about one-hour drive away; I really had no excuse for the long absence besides being so busy with heavy work schedule.

My mom loves gardening. Through the years, she spends countless hours of her free time working outside in the backyard. Day by day, the backyard gradually transforms into a mini garden full of beautiful plants, flowers and vegetables.

Every time I visit mom, I always make a point to go out to the backyard. It’s my retreat area. So this time, after having lunch and watching TV with Mom for a while, I went out to the backyard, as usual, to relax. At this time of year, most plants are out of season, there isn’t a lot going on, other than a few small cactus blooms. As I sat on the swing, looking toward the apple tree, I noticed a lone blossomed white rose illuminated by the afternoon sun beams shining through between the apple leaves. So, I get up and took a few frames.

The purity and beauty of the white rose remind me of the motherly love we all felt when we were little. In the young child’s eyes, Mom is a goddess, beautiful and pure. As we become of age, leaving the nest, struggling with life and drifting away from home, we lose touch. It felt good to be reminded of how beautiful mom always is in my heart.

I dedicate this photo my mom, my wife and all the mothers out there.

-Quan.
February 2011.