Yes, the title is reminiscent of the Disney movie, "The Lion King". It has been so long since I have put my thoughts down on paper (virtually anyway) and so many things have happened to me as well as around me, that it really has been a microcosm of the very biggest picture of all, which is life in general. If all that doesn't sound sufficiently vague to you then you have a deeper insight than I do.
I have written before about beginnings and endings and that subject does occupy a large portion of my mind. I am constantly amazed how nearly everything we think, act on, happens to us, or happens to those near us, begins and ends.
I saw my primary medical oncologist who is in Philadelphia in early June. One year after my cancer had shown up for the third time is once again tucked away. Will it come back? Probably. But for now it represents yet another good ending to beginnings that have been hard to live with. It is good news indeed and I feel so much better now that I do not have to take the nasty chemotherapy medications that I was on for the last 12 months. I have been given another chance at life again and I am grateful and plan on "making hay while the sun shines".
June was fabulous in another way. On June 27th I was able to welcome the birth of my second grandchild, Jett Richard, to our family. He joins his 2 year old brother Colt Robert and as he begins life with his parents and brother, Colt's life as an only child has ended. In my opinion Jett is one lucky little boy to be able to join the family he is in - but no luckier than his parents are to have him. RJ and Mariah are the perfect people to parent two boys and I am confident that as the children continue to grow in their own life circles they will come to realize what a great environment they have been given. Richard was my father's name and I feel extremely honored that they chose to give little Jett this name. It is a legacy that is not lost on me.
July. What a month. A month that I rarely look forward to although there are bright spots. 3 of my children began life in the month of July. 2 of those lives ended too early. Kate and Casey were both July babies. Although they have been gone from this earth for a long time, they always occupy a piece of my heart. When my life here on earth ends I know I will be reunited with them and that will be a happy day. It is one reason that I have no fear of death. My nephew Logan lost his life at the age of 18 on July 16th, Kate's birthday, and was buried on July 23rd, Casey's birthday. He has been gone too long as well. Some of my treasures have been laid up in heaven and it will be a day to rejoice when I see them again. I miss them just as much as I love having RJ and Jessie here. Blessings in two worlds; for me it's the best way to look at the situation. Other beginnings happened in this life though that are still reasons to celebrate. Jessie was born in July. So were my daughter-in-law and my husband Bob. When you add to that the fact that one of my nieces was born in July, it makes for a busy month. I am blessed by each one of them and they add richly to my life. Beginning and ending memories, all in 31 days.
I was moved to write this piece today because of news I received yesterday afternoon about some good family friends. As Jessie was growing up, the Olson's were her second family. Heidi and Jessie were inseparable for years. They (the Olson family) have had to begin a grieving process that is the result of the tragic death of two of their nephews. The boys were first cousins, both in their teens, and died as a result of a car accident on July 4th. I am deeply moved by this premature ending of two lives probably because I understand what two sets of parents as well as extended family must now learn to live with. My heart breaks for them and although I understand that nobody can "make this better" for them, it is a helpless feeling to wish you could help and know that you can't. They have great faith and I know that is what they can - and will rely on. That is a good thing because it is not humanly possible to take this sort of pain away from someone.
So.....the circle of life continues, for all of us. Our experiences begin and end. It is not always birth and death, nor health and illness. Sometimes it is something little like household projects, or vacations on the lake. Perhaps it is the beginning and end of a friendship. There are so many ways to look the circles within the CIRCLE. I still can't help but wonder where I'm bound in all of this and how many circles I will yet be a part of. I'm quite sure there will be many more to come and I am just as certain they will come in ways I have never expected.
Blessings to all......
