The last roses of summer are blooming.  (Although I know there will be more.)

Seeing the various stages of blooms on this Tahitian Sunset rose made me run for my camera.  Yes, it begins a coral bud.  As it opens, it becomes  pink with a yellow center, and then it fades to white.  I am sure there is a life lesson in this somewhere – You fill in the blanks.

Mother of Pearl has delicate pale pink petals that get paler with age.   I like it.  I love it.

Belinda’s Dream has so many petals.  I like how this rose tries to hold on to a hint of color as it fades.

In this picture, the rose is just beginning to fade.  Beautiful!

I must admit I have been a little disappointed in Dolly Parton (the rose).  I understood that this rose was to be “full bodied” – like its namesake.  The dark red tips of this fading rose reminds me of some ladies that try to cling to their beauty as they grow older.  I am not saying that is a bad thing.

Oh, there are more buds in the garden, and there will be more roses to bloom in the future, but for today, I enjoyed the faded glory of these blooms.

Blessings to you and yours,

Yes, I do know about dead-heading roses, and that was my plan, but….   It did my soul good to consider the beauty of declining roses.

(I know you understand what I mean, and I am glad we had this talk.)

Could not help but think about Isaiah 40:8 as I looked at the fading roses.

The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand forever. King James Bible

 What a wonderful promise.