Saturday, April 30, 2016

To Every Thing There Is a Season

"To every thing there is a season - turn, turn, turn…."

So goes the song made famous by The Byrds in 1965.  But that wasn’t the first time those words had resonated.  Pete Seeger wrote the song in the late 1950s, but even he wasn’t the first.  Except for the title, the lyrics are taken verbatim from the King James version of Ecclesiastes Chapters 1-8, attributed to Solomon:

“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: 
A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; 
A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; 
A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.”

Today, these words are a comfort to me.  Three years ago today it was our time to lose, and to mourn the tragic death of our beautiful Nickie.  She was the source of so much comfort when we mourned our earlier losses…my wonderful mother, Evelyn Jones; our loyal Lucky Dog and our sweet Feathers.  She was also the source of much joy, our constant companion and confidant. The seven years she spent with us were gifts, as was her life.  


Though we will never forget our Nickie, with the turn of the seasons turn we have again found a time to laugh, and to take joy and peace in our other blessings.  Perhaps her purpose under heaven was to serve as a reminder never to take anything or anyone for granted, but to cherish family and friends each day.  When I think of you, Sweet Nickie, may I always remember to share a thank you, a compliment, an “I love you” or a pat on the head whenever I have the chance.  You will always be with me in spirit.

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