I have an 87 year old friend that is learning how to use his new cell phone.
This morning he took a photo and sent it to me in the hope that it worked.
What a lovely surprise to receive these beautiful roses.

There is a history behind these roses.
Several years ago my friend decided to build a dam in a plot of land quite close to his house. Unfortunately the idea was a disaster, wouldn’t contain the water and left a soggy boggy mess which attracted mosquitoes big time.
He decided to refill the area without the expense of paying someone. He advertised for truck loads of waste land fill from building sites to be delivered free. After months of waiting he finally got the land fill rocks soil etc that he needed. Unfortunately the trucks couldn’t get access to the dam so he had to cart wheel barrow loads from where it was dumped.
At this stage of the saga I should tell you that this dear soul had been cleared of bladder cancer for two years. A few months ago he started peeing blood and getting clots. Finally went back for scans which showed the cancer had returned, still within the bladder. The medical team decided no chemo, no treatment only palliative care, in other words now not treatable 😢.
Back to filling the dam story. After many weeks of tedious back breaking hard work on his own the hole from the dam was finally filled.
My friend then decided to turn this vacant plot into a rose garden. In preparation he located a poultry farm nearby and managed to get trailer loads of manure.
The roses were finally planted and growing well. I haven’t been able to visit the rose garden and my friend because of the pandemic and also because he lives in Victoria and I live in Queensland .
This dear man lives alone and usually declines home help. A few months ago when the Covid-19 hit Australia he was offered Meals On Wheels for several weeks free, fortunately that has been extended.
The bladder cancer is not going away, the peeing of blood and clots continue. The palliative care nurse makes an occasional visit. He feels weak and exhausted, claims not to have any pain. Has been advised to visit the hospital if the blood clots block the urinary track system.
My friend is not giving up. He plays cards with friends a twice a week and also croquet. He loves telling stories like I do and is currently rewriting stories and putting them onto USB sticks to leave for his family.
Don’t give up.
Take time to smell the roses 🌹💐🙂