I knew it would begin some time, I wasn’t sure just when. But life goes in cycles, so it was bound to happen. It was round about this time last year that I first came over to my folks’ place to help them over a little hump, and then my dad’s situation turned far more serious than we’d all expected. I was blessed to be able to stick around and help out fairly seriously, mostly because I didn’t have to explode my life to do so, since I’d already done that part of the job earlier. And then things got more serious and an amazing healthcare team helped shepherd us all through some tough days. Some folks have a harder time, some easier, but we all go sometime, fair enough. At the time I was still reeling from the previous year, but over those weeks I was reminded about what family is for. Remember, too, that I had just experienced several entire communities taking a half-step back when I hit the ground so hard I bounced, rather than the half-step forward professionals later confirmed one might reasonably expect from members of communities which profess social conscience. But where community stood back and did nothing in hard times, family stepped in and rolled up their sleeves and did what they could. And again with my father, my family did what had to be done with grace and courage. Yes we cried, but we also laughed, and remembered. But mostly we helped. And so I learned again what strength there is in a caring, compassionate family. I consider that understanding to be one of the more significant gifts I received over that time. Yes, you’re right, re-gifting, and in a most beautiful way.
Well, it’s been a year since then, the seasons have come and gone, and the feelings have become more bearable as they do. But just as perspective starts to knit the heart back together the seasons become a cycle. And memories come stronger as events repeat themselves. Now the first real snow, now the plants have been pulled inside, now the light comes through the window in a way it never does in the summer. Each thing seems to be a little reminder of this time last year. That’s not a bad thing, but it does make one a little more present somehow. It was this night last year when mum and dad kicked me out of the house, telling me I had to go and do something fun. And they would not take no for an answer. So I found myself sharing an evening of carol singing with some really sweet people. When I returned to my folks’ things had taken a turn and were about to get really serious, so that evening and that singing with those people was the last little piece of normal I would have in that old life. At the time I considered the night of singing to be another gift, I just didn’t know until later how significant it was.
And so tonight, having come a full year, through an astonishing series of events I found myself at the same gathering. A few more people, a little more singing. And a whole different life. Three holiday seasons, three significant, foundation-level changes. And so as the cycle comes around again I think on not so much what is the same, but what has changed.
And what gifts I have been given.