In Their Season

Just as sunset is as beautiful as sunrise, all things

are beautiful in their season.  So tonight we give

thanks for age, and pray that we may hold in honor

all those who graciously come to the winter of life.

 

I have reached the age where there are fewer years left ahead of me than  those that have already been lived ... that becomes more apparent as I begin to move into that time in life where the the experience of losing friends and their spouses replaces the 

experience of losing our parents.

More and more, I begin to notice the beauty of the winter years ... 

just like the incredible lace of spaces of sky woven between

barren winter branches ... so is the beauty of graying

hair and wrinkles woven into our bodies.

Unexpected, surprising, softening...

and with each new wrinkle ... 

and each letting go ...

I become more and more aware of the wonder of each day ~

and I desire to cherish it and live it well.

Normal day, let me aware of the treasure you are.

Let me learn from you, love you, bless you before you

depart. Let me not  pass by in quest of some rare and

perfect tomorrow.  Let me hold you while I may, for it

may not always be so. One day I shall dig my nails into

the earth, or bury my face in the pillows, or stretch

myself taut, or raise my hands to the sky and want,

more than all the world, your return.

                                        -Mary Jean Iron

Cate