The Ice Truck
The past few days have been real scorchers. Today is beautiful. Sun is out, high around 84 degrees. It is the kind of day you want to leave the office for anywhere outside.
Earlier in the day I dropped Rayann at the airport for her trip to Roatan. On my way back to church I got behind a large truck. I am an inquisitive kind of guy. What are they carrying? Turns out the truck was filled with bags of ice-melt. The kind of stuff my friends up north are very familiar with. I purchase about a dozen bags at the beginning of the fall/winter season and hope that it will be enough to get me through the winter.
It was all I could do to stop from laughing. Beautiful sunny day, high near 90 and here is the reminder…winter is just around the corner.
Seasons Change quickly
Seasons can change quickly. We are familiar with, and therefore somewhat prepared for, the changes from spring to summer to fall to winter and back to spring. There has been a pattern and we have grown accustomed to the changes. Sometimes we may spend a little more (or less) time in a particular season, but we recognize and are comfortable with the pattern.
Life has seasons. Seasons that we often do not see until we are looking backwards.
My New Season
I turned 50 a few days ago. A big deal for most people…a huge deal for me. This is one of those birthdays my oncologist did not think I would reach when I first met him.
I had an oncologist appointment on my birthday…of course. I brought birthday cards to the people in the office. One for the office workers, it sang an obnoxious song because they need a laugh. There was one for the nursing staff, another for my two physician’s assistants. The final card was for Dr. Saroha. Each birthday card thanked those who played a part in helping me be around to celebrate 50 years of life.
As I enter into the second half-century of my life it feels as if I am entering a new season.
Seasons from the Past
Nancy gave me an amazing gift to mark the first 50 years. I got a huge box filled with people’s memories of me. Wednesday night I spent time reading through cards filled with memories of time shared together. I was struck by the different seasons represented in those who shared. Looking forward I could never have imagined much of what they shared. With an eye (and ear) to what had been it was beautiful to see how we had journeyed together. Some of what they shared brought back memories that were tucked away in the recesses of my mind.
I laughed as some shared memories of time spent together. Always thankful for the people God brought into my life and the opportunity we had to walk together, if only for a season.
Entering New Seasons
Seasons change. That theme is consistent. How we move through the seasons is important.
Always pursing a deeper, vibrant, growing relationship with Abba Father. Choosing to look out for those who walk alongside us, helping them through whatever season of life they find themselves in.
After reading through the memories people shared of me I placed the cards back in the box and closed the lid on many seasons represented there.
I am excited to see what seasons lay ahead.
I am hopeful to see and share those seasons with those I am lucky enough to call friend.
Step boldly into your next season!
God is Good All the Time…All the Time God is Good
Dan, I do wish we had gotten to know each other. I love your thoughts and Nancy’s thoughtfulness. Just want to share something. When I was in 8th grade in Pensacola, Florida, I had an English teacher I’ve never forgotten. Her husband had died in World War II. She gave us an assignment to memorize a poem entitled, “Be the Best of Whatever You Are.” I have forgotten the words but not poem. Used it with my children when they were growing up and paralleled it with “for whom would they be the best of what they could be.’ ” The other item I so clearly remember coming from Mrs. Lester was a ditty that rhymed, but I can’t remember the words, but I’ve never forgotten the gist. It said, “Don’t wait until someone dies to tell them how much they meant to you but tell them while they are still here. I am 74 years old and many of my friends are in the 80’s, moving to retirement homes, no longer able to get out without help, etc. So I have visited several in recent months to tell them about the poem and to thank them for their contribution to the Kingdom and their faithful walk with the Savior and the wonderful testimony it has been to me. It sounds like Nancy may have read my ditty too or maybe it’s just that she loves you dearly and this is one way she can tell you so. God bless you young man (yes, you’re young because my son turned 49 in June!!!)