Certainly I was not the only one who ran the gamut of emotions this year. From birth to death and beyond, my normally calm sea of emotions swirled about, churning ceaselessly from January until now. With emotions, it is important to find a place to go, to experience relief in an accomplished goal, to even bow down to the inevitable as earthly life ceases as we know it for a loved one.
The joy at a the birth of a grandchild was loaded with the emotion of expectancy for nine months. There was anticipation and uncertainty. And all of that that gave way to almost a super happiness at birth, because the wait was over, anxiety dispelled, and the beautiful baby boy was held and caressed by his mother and father, and they let me do the same. It brought me memories of the first holding of my two children over thirty years ago. It evoked anew the elation at caring, loving and raising them from birth to now. It never stops.
And even in death, there is fulfillment or accomplishment. The grandmother of that child lived long enough to experience the joy of holding, and the fun of hearing the baby's cry. Unfulfilled for her will be the joy of grand-mothering. But the ultimate for her was knowledge that she herself had lived a good life, brimming with love and joy. The smile engaged everyone. It is in knowing the life she led that we are able to feel okay about her passing, and a certain joy amid our sorrow that her influence endures in her posterity.
From birth to death, within a month! A roller coaster of life, joy and sorrow, preparing us for the road ahead!
No comments:
Post a Comment