Don ‘t hurry. Don’t worry. You’re only here for a short visit. So don’t forget to stop and smell the roses.
Walter Hagen
My father said to me, “Don’t forget to stop and smell the roses.” He said it to me all the time. I thought he was the first person to ever say it. Apparently Walter Hagen said it first.
“I forgot to smell the roses Dad. I also forgot to smell the butterfly bush, the heather, sage and rosemary plants.”
My dad has been dead for over fifteen years. Yet, the little expression, “Don’t forget to stop and smell the roses,” was as clear to me tonight when I went outside and saw the rose-bush, as if he had just spoken to me. My father is alive in my memories.
The rose-bush in the front yard only has five petals left on it. The color has faded in the sun. The plant bloomed several weeks ago. I kept meaning to stop and smell the roses.
I could see the plant when I got in my van, and I could see the plant when I came home from doing errands.
“Hey, what a pretty flower. I want to take a picture of it. I wonder what it smells like?” Then I would walk into the house with my canned green beans and strawberries and close the door, forgetting about the rose-bush.
The day is not completely over. It is only eight o’clock. There is still time to stop and smell the roses.
There is still time to breathe fresh air and smell the butterfly bush, it just started to bloom.
Did you take time today to smell the roses?
P.S. Walter Hagen was a golfer.
