The Story of Rose: A Reaction

The story of Rose is one of the most inspiring narratives I have ever read. It inspires me most for it makes me think right now the value of pursuing life and of loving education. I also value life and of course me as a human being and as a perfect design by God. I am inspired by the narrative's thought that Growing older is mandatory but Growing up is optional.

In this narrative, it primarily talks about how one deals with life, a life that is very complicated and chaotic and a life that has full of questions about the why's, the how's, and the what's in the world. Yet, dealing with life is challenging for it intertwines with choices - a choice of one's own will.

In the story, the character Rose imparts values - the values of enjoying life to the fullest and of course believing in God. She portrays as a good example in fulfilling her life and accomplishing what it needs to be accomplished. Her dream is to get a college education, and she tries her best to obtain it in an unusual endeavor because of her age. Her dream makes her life a bit fulfilling. She makes it by doing everything of what she can do and by going to college at the age of 87.

Rose's message "Growing older is mandatory and growing up is optional" encourages other people that age does not matter in reaching one's goal and purpose in life and in getting higher education. Age is not a boundary or limit of our own dreams to fulfill, but rather it is a biological clock that ends the revolution of our existence in the physical world.

Growing old is mandatory because humans are weak and fragile. We are subtle and finite. when we reach our parameters, we all die and vanish as the dust does. Nonetheless, there is good in dying. That is dying with no regrets and that is when one fulfills his or her dreams. It is better to die happily than to die with regrets.

The nicest line I like the most in the narrative of Rose is that many people have no regrets of what they did but they have regrets of what they did not do. Yes, it is true. Sometimes, people feel regretful and frustrated when there are things in life that they did not accomplish. When they died, there souls could be coming back. Or probably, their souls would wonder around looking for something... a something that they wanted to do when they were alive. Maybe, they wanted to go with the lives. That is why, many souls would horrify the living ones. I am not so sure about this. Anyway, this is my commentary.

Before I end this discussion, i would like to share one HAIKU that I know. This is written by TSURAYUKI. In the translated poem, it defines that, while we are still living, we should live it with our utmost satisfaction.

Have I been dreaming?
But yesterday, it seemed knee-deep in water.
We planted rice=shoots.
Today, across the yellow plain,
The autumn breeze beckons us to harvest.

Indeed, life is too short so live life to the fullest. Until there is still enough time to fulfill the promises, dreams, and aspirations, one must make most of it.