THE LIFE AND DEATH OF A ROSE

A bud
    a young bloom
          a beautiful rose in its prime
a seed head.

Roses are what they are
     and do what they do
grow
     bloom
          give pleasure
               exude their perfume
Die.

The life of a rose - 
     some of which is hastened
          by outside influences.

We remember those in Charleston
     whose lives
          have been brought 
               to a sad end -
before their time.

We pray that the lives they led
     and the fragrance they leave behind
          will be a blessing
               to those who mourn their passing.

May God surround them all 
     with His peace and love
          in the coming days.

"Darkness cannot drive out 
     darkness,
          only light can do that. 
Hate cannot drive out hate, 
     only love can do that."
Martin Luther King Jr. 

For I am convinced that 
neither death nor life, 
neither angels nor demons,
neither the present nor the future, 
nor any powers, 
neither height nor depth, 
nor anything else in all creation, 
will be able to separate us 
from the love of God 
that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8 : 38-39 NIV