Amongst the Thorns

          In a field of thorns there grows a simple but beautiful flower with the most stunning colors that Mother Nature could muster.  this particular flower has been growing for fifteen years, but early in the fourteenth year of growth in the infancy of Spring 2013, there was something different.  Looking at the amazing flower is something that everyone did.  Not because this was the only flower, but because this was the only flower amongst the thorns.  This is why we knew there was something different.  The colors were not as magnificent and instead of staying in bloom all day the once vibrant flower would only bloom for a few waking hours each day.  The flower was starting to droop and have an almost sad look to it.  After trying many different things to bring the color back to it's original glorious beauty, we finally discovered what was ailing her.  There were aphids all over her leaves and this is what was causing all of these horrible problems.  The solution was to introduce a few lady bugs to the flower.  The lady bugs found and fed on the nasty aphids  and after a while the lady bugs ate every last aphid.  The next Spring, the Spring of 2014, the beautiful flower was growing strong and once again popped her beautiful pink pedals high above the thorns.  Now she will only grow brighter and stronger from here on out.  If the aphids return, they best beware of the lady bugs waiting to make them their lunch to protect my beautiful daughter...