by Thayne C. Smith
A miracle there is no other word for it. Not one or two but at least thirty strong, healthy rose bushes bursting with blooms of every hue. What manner of woman could bring forth this beauty from the barren desolate Earth "Under the Dump?"
A woman of determination, who filled most of a city block with food stuffs for her family. Young children, older children with families of their own; family, friends and neighbors, all shared the bounty from the determined efforts that grew beans and corn and cucumbers and then "put up" enough to last the winter through, and longer. Her pickles and chow were paid the ultimate compliment by Grandpa Smith who said they were "So good you had to tie a string on your tongue to keep from swallowing it."
A woman of Faith. Faith as a mustard seed? No, her faith is large as a rose bud blooming. True to it and her church she has lad, guided and sometimes pushed just a little to direct her family in the way she knew would bring them eternal happiness. She was not defeated by the sorrowful loss of loved ones. She knew that just as the roses stand naked and lifeless in the winter's chill yet stir to life and bloom again when springtime's warm breath blows o'er them, so would the souls of each of us bloom again in youth and beauty when the winter of this life was done.
A woman of Loyalty. She is fiercely loyal to her church and its officers. She will allow no criticism or fault finding. As the thorns protect the roses, just as loyally does she defend family, friends and faith. She served diligently in church offices as long as her health allowed. Relief Society, Sunday School, and Primary all received her devotion. She faithfully attend her meetings until age intervened.
A Woman of Courage. She bore eight children with the help of only a mid-wife, and then was both mother and father when her husband was away for long weeks at a time on the range. She endured the terrible depression of the '30's when there were no jobs and less money and still children who needed school clothes and shoes. This terrible time left scars that haunted her but her courage saw her through. When tragedy struck and death took first her little daughter, later her husband and then two sons, and another daughter. Her courage was a model for her remaining four children.
A Woman with a great Spirit of Adventure. She was never content to sit on the side lines and watch. When she was past seventy and had never ridden a roller-coaster, age didn't stand in her way. She climbed aboard for a hair-raising ride. But once was enough. Travel was limited for her during the years she was raising her children. However in childhood she traveled by wagon to visit relatives in Arizona, and eighty years later she recalled details of that trip. In her sixties and seventies she traveled at length and savored each mile and new experience. She stored in memory for ready recall these precious moments. When others visited California and saw just crowds and cars and smog, she delighted in each new growing thing and truly loved and marveled at the beauty of the Ocean. Although walking was often difficult for her she refused to sit comfortably and wait. She hiked the caves, the cities, the Worlds Fair, the museums and we all admired her and appreciated more the things we saw!
Minnie Clark Smith, will always be Rose Garden to those who love her, and we are many. We want her to know that our love will bloom eternally.