In a previous windstorm some weeks ago, the stem on one of my two new tree roses broke in half and the entire bush lay on the ground. I called the landscaper and, over ten days later, he replaced it with a new rose. He said, however, that he thought the broken rose had a 50/50 shot at living since at least half the cambium layer was still intact. He straightened the stem, bound up the break, and put the injured rose in a pot with a strong stake to hold it upright. A month later, the rose looks quite healthy and is blooming profusely. It was broken half in two and I gave it up for lost but a knowledgeable person saw the potential and I have a third lovely tree rose.
It occurred to me that my rose can be thought of as a modern-day parable. So many people have broken lives in today's stressful world. They wander around, often homeless, addicted to mind-altering substances, or mentally ill. Most of us give them up as beyond hope and are ready to throw them away. But there are always caring, knowlegeable people who get busy, bind up the broken spots, plant the damaged persons in safe, forgiving environments and give them temporary leaning posts until they can stand without help. Of course, these "broken" people can go either way, just as my rose bush could have done. But many of them respond, begin to bloom again, and bring joy to the lives of others.
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