Parisian Phoenix Publishing

My birthday falls on Wednesday, and my rose bush is celebrating with about 50 roses all blooming at the same time. When we bought this house, Mrs. Beauchspies had three rose bushes, one of which my mom trimmed back to hard and killed our first year here. The second always lived in the shadow of the big pink rose bush by the front door and finally found itself unable to compete a few years ago.

But this big pink rose bush lives on. It’s probably older than I am. And I didn’t know anything about roses when we moved in. I try to keep it pruned to below the windows, because by the end of the summer, it’s always reaching up and impeding our view. But a few years ago, the center of the bush started dying, and the healthy branches shot up and out to compensate.

Someone with more experience came over and helped us trim the dead stuff out, but the bush is still gangly and awkward. I am hesitant to prune too drastically until the new growth gets its legs under it. I am hoping, with this barrage of roses, I can start the process of reshaping and reclaiming our view.

Meanwhile, the rose bush is getting in on the 50 books in 5 years theme.

I reflect on the rose bush’s long-term life and apply some gardening concepts to human life. Do we grow up and around as we reach for what we think we need, our sunlight and raindrops? Are we pruned by the people and events around us? What shape do we take? Do we hinder the view? Do we bring delight? Do we do both at the same time?

About me

Speaking of growth and personal stuff, I’ve been struggling lately with walking. If you don’t know, I have diplegic spastic cerebral palsy, which means my legs and my brain don’t communicate and my muscles in my legs don’t relax. I don’t mention it often in professional conversation, because it doesn’t matter.

I am working on a disability memoir about how I advocate for myself in our dysfunctional, capitalistic medical system. I believe the lessons I provide in this book are useful for all of us— especially those of you who suddenly find yourself needing to navigate the system in a deeper way than you ever thought you would need.

If that kind of topic interests you, or you want to know more about my everyday life, visit AngelAckerman.com. My recent post is here.