It only feels like yesterday that I lost a good friend and someone who believed in me but when that person cared enough to show me how to grow with my business and in life, that memory will be with me every day.
Ella was very much an important person in my life. She was the only person who didn’t judge me and helped me grow as a person. When I first met Ella, she treated me like a real person and not a loser. I know now that Ella was a significant influence and a mentor to me. She is remembered for her deep kindness, wisdom and the support she provided me, in both life and in gardening and especially rose gardening and rose care.
Her kind and supportive words will live on inside me. Before Ella died, I made her a promise and that was to continue growing my business. I am fortunate that her family have accepted me in their lives as well and they keep me going, keep me on track and ensure I am not alone.
When I moved to Perth, I had no family. Times were tough and it was here that I decided I should start a business, after all I had to do something, and I needed money to live. I started my business on a push bike. Times were tough and then things changed when I met Ella. I had a purpose in life. But I nearly lost it all. When Ella was taken by cancer, I wanted to hide away because it was hard losing someone that had helped and supported me.
Fortunately, her family, her daughters encouraged me, and I remember the promise I had made to Ella. I didn’t want to let her down, so I pushed myself to get up, get out and work. And each day, I try to do just that. Sure, life can be hard, and I sometimes get grumpy and irritable, but I keep going. I have some good people in my life who try and keep me on track. They are there to offer support and help in various ways. And if I appear to have a bigger ego than I should, they soon bring me back to earth, and I keep going.
My rose pruning or rose care services have grown over the years. I have gone from rose pruning to providing Winter and Summer rose pruning services and to top that off I am now providing a rose care consult service where I provide guidance on pruning roses. And I have a guide to rose care booklet for sale that can be downloaded, or you can buy the booklet online or from me. I would never have dreamed of being able to do that.
Ella was not only a mentor, but she also helped me during difficult times and taught me the skills and confidence that was necessary for me to grow my business. Her encouragement and belief in me keep that promise alive and me and my business will continue to grow and thrive as her memory lives on inside me.
We have created a page in Memory of Ella that will stay on our website for a long time.
John Kelly
