David McLean's thoughts, incorporating Life Is a Journey.

The spray carnation, and the snowdrop. Such simple and unassuming little flowers, either blooming in mass production, or growing for a few short weeks in early spring in out of the way places. Most people have a soft spot for the lowly snowdrop, and check the flower stands at any supermarket where you will see more buckets of budget priced carnations than anything else. Why our love of these humble flowers?

The most likely explanation is that these little blooms trigger memories somewhere in our deepest thoughts. A child's first posy to be given lovingly to their Mum. A stumbling way to say, "I love you". A memory of a long brisk winter's walk in the countryside when you come across a small wooded place laced with these wild little drooping headed flowers. Who can resist the urge to uproot a bunch or two of these snowdrops as a memento, and replant your memory into your own garden, or flowerpot at home. Perhaps desperately wishing to keep the feeling of that day alive for a little longer? Perhaps "snowdrop" could even be a pet name given to, or received from, a very special person.

Maybe the carnation was a buttonhole for you at a special occasion, or graced your Mum's or Gran's home every time you seemed to visit? Perhaps they were there because of a promise made many years before, and if only those soft gentle heads could speak, what a happy, yet sad story they would tell. The colours can be important too. The pure white of the snowdrop, can only speak of purity. The purity of a precious memory. Then there is the soft yellow carnation. Open and inviting, the colour invoking a vivid memory of a loved one, radiant in a dress of the same shade, with just a hint of gentle perfume. Yes, we can be blessed with memories, and especially good memories!