Turn, Turn, Turn...

As our family bid farewell to 2008, we also said our final goodbyes to my grandmother in the early hours of this morning.


That's her... 2nd from the right. Perhaps the biggest cares in her life (when this photo was taken) were whether she'd meet the man of her dreams (she did). Whether he'd come back from the war (he did). Whether she'd have children (2), a successful career (40 yrs teaching), or get a chance to travel the world (you should see the pictures).

I wonder if that young lady ever imagined that she'd live long enough to watch all her grandchildren graduate college, attend several of their weddings, welcome a new millennium, and meet two great-grandchildren.

The following passage keeps running through my head this morning (actually...it's more in the form of the song by The Byrds... that's what happens when your parents were hippies...).

Ecclesiastes 3

A Time for Everything
1 There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:
2 a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,

3 a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,

4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,

5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,

6 a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,

7 a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,

8 a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.


There is a time for every purpose under heaven. So, instead of a season of resolve, this New Year has brought with it a time of reflection and remembrance.

I'm thanking God today for my Mama, for giving us a rich, long season of life with her!

Happy New Year, everyone!