Red roses were her favorites,
her name was also Rose. And
every year her husband sent
them, tied with pretty bows.
The year he died, the roses
were delivered to her door.
The card said, "Be my Valentine,"
like all the years before.

Each year he sent her roses,
and the note would always say,
"I love you even more this year,
than last year on this day."
"My love for you will always
grow, with every passing year."

She knew this was the last time
that the roses would appear.
She thought, he ordered roses
in advance before this day.
Her loving husband did not know,
that he would pass away. He
always liked to do things early,
way before the time. Then, if
he got too busy, everything
would work out fine.

She trimmed the stems, and
placed them in a very special
vase. Then, sat the vase beside
the portrait of his smiling face.
She would sit for hours, in her
husband's favorite chair. While
staring at his picture, and the
roses sitting there.

A year went by, and it was hard
to live without her mate. With
loneliness and solitude, that
had become her fate. Then, the
very hour, as on Valentines
before, the doorbell rang, and
there were roses, sitting by
her door.

She brought the roses in, and
then just looked at them in shock.
Then went to get the telephone,
to call the florist shop. The
owner answered, and she asked him,
if he would explain, Why would
someone do this to her, causing
her such pain?

"I know your husband passed away,
more than a year ago," the owner
said, "I knew you'd call, and you
would want to know." "The flowers
you received today, were paid for
in advance." "Your husband always
planned ahead, he left nothing to
chance." "There is a standing order,
that I have on file down here, and
he has paid, well in advance, you'll
get them every year. There also is
another thing, that I think you
should know, he wrote a special
little card...he did this years ago".
"Then, should ever, I find out that
he's no longer here, that's the card...
that should be sent, to you the
following year."

She thanked him and hung up the
phone, her tears now flowing hard.
Her fingers shaking, as she slowly
reached to get the card."
Inside the card, she saw that he
had written her a note. Then, as
she stared in total silence, this
is what he wrote..."Hello my love,
I know it's been a year since I've
been gone, I hope it hasn't been
too hard for you to overcome."
"I know it must be lonely, and
the pain is very real. For if it
was the other way, I know how I
would feel. The love we shared
made everything so beautiful in
life. I loved you more than words
can say, you were the perfect wife."

"You were my friend and lover,
you fulfilled my every need. I
know it's only been a year, but
please try not to grieve. I want
you to be happy, even when you
shed your tears. That is why the
roses will be sent to you for years."
"When you get these roses, think
of all the happiness, that we had
together, and how both of us were
blessed. I have always loved you
and I know I always will. But,
my love, you must go on, you have
some living still." "Please...try
to find happiness, while living
out your days. I know it is not
easy, but I hope you find some
ways. The roses will come every
year, and they will only stop,
when your door's not answered,
when the florist stops to knock."
"He will come five times that day,
in case you have gone out. But
after his last visit, he will
know without a doubt, to take
the roses to the place, where
I've instructed him, and place
the roses where we are,
together once again."

Author unknown