Like a rose...

"As a presence in a room with its scent, color, and shape, a rose can take possession of the viewer's innermost thoughts and emotions, making everything else look absurdly small in comparison."
-Daphne Filiberti

Since i was a little one, my mother told me an analogy that i still recall to this day.

She compared a female to a rose, its longevity in terms of beauty, and how that translated to women and the amount of relationships they had or will have if they were young, like myself.

Basically, when a girl reaches the age of about 18 years...give or take a couple of years...(everybody is different) - this is the age in which the girl is like a rosebud, just starting to blossom mentally and physically. I guess it depends on what you prefer, but its one of the "prettier" looks of a rose. A girl is just starting to look "prettier" in her teens.

When the girl becomes a lady, her mid-20s, she is at that stage where the rosebud is opening up further more, you can see more character as the petals reveal themselves. Her individual personality shines, and according to my mother this is her peak.

When the lady matures reaching her 30s, she is still beautiful and if anything, in my opinion she is glorious. Roses in full bloom are fragrant, you can feel the texture of the rose petals, its nice and silky, although a little weathered. I think a rose in full bloom has the most personality and individuality, u just didnt notice until they unveiled themselves.

So, there are three stages of a rose and three corresponding stages of a woman's life in which to be adored, wanted, and shared.

When you are young, you are at the age where u can be frivilous! Pick and choose whomever you want to be with, but there will be one stand out person during this time. That was Person #1.

In between, there may be a couple to choose from. And to be honest, there is going to be one person that is "Mr Almost Right for You", if you haven't already decided that he is "Mr Right". This is the time to be wise in your choice, not to do anything irrational - just because. Mr Almost is Person #2.

The last leg of the beauty vs aging race. The rose is still beautiful, but we all know that the beauty on the outside wont last for all too long. Its quite disheartening to think that there will be less "men" at this age chasing after you, just because your said "beauty" is fading. But i think there is an element of truth to it. If you do encounter a "Mr Almost Right" at this phase of your life, I think you should really consider and re-evaluate what you want from a partner...maybe ur ideals are too far and wide...and you do know that they are ideals, right?

Mr Almost Right is Person #3, and he may be the last one that you will come across in a very long while. According to my mother's analogy, he is the final one.

Recap of the analogy: There seems to be only 3 possible Mr Rights in a girls life...
=(

*sigh*

I think the point of her story was to illustrate the fact that when you "grow up" your beauty grew too (inside and outside), but it fades like the way it began. I think the other poignant matter she wanted to bring to my attention was about the opportunities that life presented in various phases of your life, and to avoid taking it for granted! As one day you will wake up realising that you no longer have your looks. You have become old and lonely, because you allowed good opportunities slip right pass you.