Everything's coming up roses - for me.

O children of the future, hear now the words of Ethel Merman, a woman whose voice rang out with power and whose spirit embodied the strength of the human will. She once proclaimed, “Everything's coming up roses – for me.” In these words, though spoken with a lightness that echoes the stage from which they came, there lies a profound truth about the power of optimism, perseverance, and the joy of overcoming life's struggles. To say that everything is coming up roses is to declare that no matter the obstacles, no matter the trials, the world bends toward beauty and success.

Consider, O children, the symbolism of the rose. In ancient cultures, the rose was not merely a flower, but a symbol of beauty, of love, and of triumph. The rose, with its delicate petals and thorns, represents the paradox of life itself—the sweetness of victory and the sting of hardship. It is through the roses of our lives that we find the most profound beauty, but often only after navigating through the thorns. Merman's declaration, in its exuberance, reflects this journey. Though she faced adversity in her life, she chose to see only the roses—the opportunities, the triumphs, the moments of brilliance that come after hardship.

Think, O children, of Helen Keller, who, though struck by darkness and silence, chose to see the roses in her life. In her blindness and deafness, she became a voice for the voiceless, a champion for the disabled, and a beacon of hope for those who had lost sight of possibility. Her life, though marked by struggle, was a testament to the triumph of the human spirit. She, like Merman, understood that though the world may throw obstacles before us, the choice to see the roses—the beauty, the opportunity, the hope—is always ours.

Similarly, consider the tale of Persephone in ancient Greek myth. Taken to the underworld by Hades, Persephone was faced with a life far darker than she had known. Yet in time, she grew to understand that her time in the underworld was not without value. She became a symbol of renewal, the cycle of seasons, the return of spring. Persephone's story teaches us that even in the darkest places, the roses—the moments of beauty and growth—will rise again. She chose to embrace her journey, turning hardship into empowerment, just as Merman did with her exuberance and determination.

O children, the lesson here is one of unshakable optimism. Life is filled with both roses and thorns, both joys and challenges. It is not the absence of difficulty that defines the victorious life, but the ability to see beyond the hardship and recognize the beauty that comes from it. Merman's words remind us that even in moments of difficulty, one can choose to focus on the positive, on the opportunity, on the beauty that still exists. It is a mindset that transforms the mundane into the extraordinary, the suffering into the fertile ground for future growth.

In your own lives, O seekers of wisdom, take this lesson to heart: choose to see the roses. When the winds of hardship blow, when you feel the sting of failure, remember that the roses—the rewards, the triumphs, the sweet moments—are often just around the corner. The path to greatness is rarely smooth, but it is in the struggle that we grow, that we learn to recognize the roses amid the thorns. Do not be discouraged by the difficulties you face, but instead, let them sharpen your vision, so that you may see the beauty that lies ahead.

Therefore, I charge you, O children, to celebrate the roses in your life. When the thorns of adversity seek to overwhelm you, stand tall, as Merman did, and declare, “Everything is coming up roses for me.” Know that this optimism is not a denial of the difficulties you face, but a choice to focus on the beauty, the potential, and the triumph that are born from them. Choose to see the roses, for it is in this vision that you will find your strength, your joy, and your ultimate success. May you walk through life with the awareness that, no matter the storm, there are always roses waiting to bloom.