People I Meet

the Old Man with the Rose

May 14, 2010 at 10:10 am (i've met)

I had brunch last weekend with several single girlfriends and the conversation turned, inevitably, to men.  Unlike other discussions I’ve had recently with friends who are a bit pessimistic about being single in their 30s, our conversation over brunch was refreshingly upbeat and positive. We traded funny dating stories and bits of advice we have learned from prior relationships, family and friends.

One of the women told us about a dinner she had with some friends earlier in the week, one of whom is a decorator who specializes in redesigning homes incorporating elements of Feng shui. Finding out my friend was single, the decorator advised her to set up a “love corner” in her home. This corner should be cleaned and cleared of “bad energy” and replaced with positive thoughts and flowers–a visualization and physical manifestation of the love you wish to receive. We giggled over the idea and the very San Franciscan nature of the advice, but then threw up our hands and said why not?

I told my parents about the “love corner” over breakfast this morning.  I’m visiting them for the weekend and knew they would appreciate the anecdote, a sign that I’m healing and moving on. As I settled into my post-breakfast routine, sprawling across the floor of the family room with the newspaper and a cup of coffee, my dad headed out for work. I heard the garage door open and a few minutes later, footsteps coming back towards the family room. My dad appeared with a vase filled with a beautiful yellow rose he had just cut from the front garden.

“Here you go,” he said, handing me the rose, “this is for your fung shoe.”

The First Flower in My Love Corner

Thank you for the Old Man with the Rose.