What?

What does that mean - to see a fully formed rose in the middle of December?  Better yet, what does it mean to have this rose on a knock-off bush on which no fully formed roses ever bloom?  Still one better, why did the rose form in the center of the bush and last for a week in beautiful form, then begin to wither?  Two weeks later it is still fully formed on the branch although in a slightly lesss vibrant state.  The 4 or 5 roses on the bush that bloomed with this fully formed one had a couple or three petals, lasted for 3 or 4 days, then vanished in the wind.

I'm sure there is a scientific explanation for it.  The climate is affected by the strongest El Nino on record this year.  That translates to warmer temperatures and wetter than average weather.  The leaves on my porch potted flowers are still on their stems even though there have been two freezes already.  The warmer, wetter weather allows for plants to bloom later, last longer, or have an extra blooming period.

Right.  But, of the three rose bushes in my yard, only one produced a fully formed rose in mid-December.  Only one.  I'm hoping it will be representative of what roses symbolize.  Something special is due to happen soon.  I couldn't tell from what quarter something special would come because I see nothing on the horizon that would blossom into anything big and exciting and special.  If it happens it would definitely be as surprising as the rose in mid-December.

Today, the skies are perfectly blue, not a cloud in them.  It's warmer by 10 degrees than it was last year at this time, which was above average even then.  If something extraordinary does happen, I will look to this week of the rose, this day of crystal clear skies and warm temps, and be thankful for the symbol that allowed me the hope of better things to come.