|
November 1998
PEP Pioneers
Second Wind
Torrance, California
Dear Friends:
On
my daily health walks, I enjoy the sound of birds chirping, the
smell of morning air, and I admire the architecture and building
designs when walking the City and the parks.
I love the flowers, particularly the rose.
They begin to bloom in Denver each May and often continue to
produce their unique flower well into November, until the autumn
frost slows their growth and the winter freeze makes them dormant
for about six months.
The
last of the roses are now blooming as winter approaches.
Today, I admired a large red rose, alone as it perched on its
stalk. No more buds
surrounded it. “What
made this one last?”, I pondered.
Why so large and dominant?
Will the same rose bloom first or last next year?
I don’t know a lot about growing roses, but I have admired
them all my life. I
like to muse about survival and endurance, even of the roses.
I
walk each day for both physical and mental health. It keeps me fit and helps me deal with frustrations.
Some
time ago, I wrote a little poem for a wonderful person, a friend:
The
frustrations of life,
Are
mixed with misery and strife.
So,
why do I this hour,
Miss
the beauty of a flower?
Happy
Thanksgiving. I will be
in touch next month.
Your friend,
Thomas Petty, MD
|
