The cage, the rose and the bottle.

A study in gifts of material objects and priceless love.

The cage was a gift to me from a friend that I met when we were 9 years old. I still remember the day we met. I also remember all the good and bad times we've had since that time. She was the first person I called when I was told that my son was dead. She was the first to get to me to offer comfort and sympathy. She is more a sister to me than friend.

The rose was a gift to me from my son. He did not make the rose but he had one of the young men he worked with make it for me. A precious gift just the same. This rose is one of many reminders of the miracle of birth, life and yes, even death.

The bottle was a gift this past Christmas from a lady that is also like family. Her family has always been available to me for support, kindness, and stability; something I never had as a child.

The cage is for keeping my fears out and my strength in.
The rose is a reminder of the beauty in my life and the thorns that are encountered along the way.
The bottle is to hold all the memories of the past and the future.