I was going to write a nice cheery blog about all of these parties that I have been to in the past two days, but then I got news of the passing of two people today. One of these people I have known since I was born. And though I don't know him so well, he has been a family friend for a very long time. At this time last year, he was told he had 4 weeks to live because of severe lung cancer. Instead he lived for a whole year, even regaining the ability to continue biking again (his passion). He recently went back to his native Austria and there he passed away.
The second person. I have never met. But she is the mother of a very dear friend. I met this friend in Spain two years ago, and we had so many good times together. Shortly after coming home from Spain her mother was diagnosed with ALS, a disease that causes the body to slowly stop functioning, and eventually can't support itself. This afternoon I heard that she passed away.
My heart goes out to both of these families... to the daughter and sons and the husband and wife who both remain.
Life is full of contrasts. Literally, I had already begun to write the post I intended to put online, here was the opening line, "Well, life has been pretty fun these past few days! Such happiness there is, in celebrating good things, and having some good fun with good people!"
Ironic, isn't it? Sobering and humbling.
Life is full of lessons, and uncertainties...
So, I will leave off with an excerpt of verses from Ecclesiastes (a book of contrasts at it's best!)
"For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.
A time to be born, a time to die.
A time to plant, a time to harvest.
A time to kill, and a time to heal.
A time to cry and a time to laugh
A time to cry and a time to laugh,
A time to grieve and a time to dance."
- Ecclesiastes 3:1-4
life is BEAUTIFUL
Good, thoughtfully written post. So TRUE.
ReplyDeletexxoo