What’s Old is New Again

When I became a grandmother two years ago I knew I was headed for some exciting new experiences. This was especially true because, as the mother of two daughters, I now had a grandson. That alone has proven very different indeed. But little did I know that this tiny boy would make so many old, familiar aspects of my life new again.
 
During the years of raising my own children there were distractions and pressures, the things that normally come with life as a young family. But this time, with this new little one, I could slow down.
 
From the first rides in his baby carriage, as he stared into the trees, I found myself telling him about the leaves and pulling low lying branches closer to his line of sight. Later it was patting the tightly cropped boxwoods or pulling petals one at a time from the Limelight hydrangeas that amused his little hands. We have spent hours over his few short years walking around my backyard, exploring the shape of the dogwood blossom or discovering the peach pits left on the ground under our tree.
 
When it came time to refresh the planters, not surprisingly, he was more than eager to pick up his tiny fist full of dirt and pack it in around the new plants. And what better way to learn about the grass than to roll around in it? All of these moments have been firsts for him and sharing each with him has made me see and feel the beauty of my backyard garden all anew. All that was old is new again.

I’ve also begun to look at other aspects of my life using that well worn saying. What else is old or familiar that could be seen with fresh, new enthusiasm? As we enter another year together as Roses it is my hope that we can all see and experience it like new!

President 2025 – 2026