Bloom Where You Are Planted 

 My husband often reminds friends I’m not from the South, but I arrived as fast as possible. When I moved to Atlanta in 1996, the glorious spring dazzled my eyes and stirred my soul. I had never seen so many blossoming trees, shrubs, and flowers. In my native Minnesota, winter often morphed into summer, banishing spring. But here, it was as if God were conducting a botanical symphony, striking the pear trees, dogwoods, and azaleas into a cacophony of brilliance. I threw open my windows, deeply inhaling.  Several hours later, sneezing, I noticed an iridescent layer of chartreuse blanketing our furniture and floors.  I quickly learned to adapt and wait until pollen season ended before “airing out the house,” as my Scandinavian grandmother had taught me. 

We, Roses, understand the beauty of adaptation, learning from our gardens, and flourishing regardless of the challenges we all face. Just like a resilient plant adjusts its growth to suit its environment, we, too, must embrace change, nurturing ourselves and our surroundings to thrive in every season of our lives. Just as we tend to beautify our environment, we Roses support each other to better navigate through life’s ups and downs.  In this shared club membership, we Roses can find joy and strength, getting to know each other better and letting our friendships bloom to their fullest. I want to thank all the former presidents who have kept this club intimate and lovely.

I look forward to another year full of friendship, fun, and flowers as we grow together.

Judi Stanley

President 2024 – 2025