Pages Turn Like Half Circles

(Sigh.)

This is a late one.

I have never done this, but sometimes... life calls for an emergency. An unexpected page turn.

As I was scrolling through my Facebook news feed, I saw updates of so many loved ones in my life. So many snippets of their journey, just brief moments- mere glimpses of what is unfolding in their world.

These posts... they bring me great joy... and great sorrow.
So many of my friends and mentors are experiencing exciting new seasons. Engagement, marriage, or their first child. What beautiful "page turns" to such highly anticipated chapters of our lives! Yet, there are many near to my heart who have also lost loved ones.

One of these loved ones was Alice.
She has just passed away.

This is a tribute to her, as well as a momento to our Creator, whom Ms. Alice loved very dearly:
Alice.
A pillar of faith in our church.
A beacon of love and of strength and of joy.
You worked so patiently with the toddlers, so lovingly.
Your greeting warmed me to the core, melting me on my hardest days like vanilla ice cream on a hot apple pie. Your hugs wrapped me (and all of my melty-ice-cream-mess of a self) all up into a bundle of love and compassion.
Thank you for your heart. Your vulnerability. Your poise. Your wonderful Sunday hats that you always wore. I wonder- how many hats did you have?
I am blessed to know where you are. Comforted that, with our Creator, you are now able to fully melt into the a la mode state that you once blessed me with.
Kiss Jesus' feet for me, Alice; bask in all of the Glorious Presence of our Great King.
I'll bring you a Sunday hat to wear when I come join you one day!

~

Mmm...

What a sweet, sweet thing to remember a loved one. To reflect on the goodness of life.
As I scroll through Facebook, I see: post remembering Alice, engagement pictures, I'll miss Alice, so-and-so are now married, parent in the hospital, first baby is finally born, miscarriage for twins, being reunited with family, graduations... opposition, triumph, sadness, joy, praises, complaints, jokes, encouragements...

I guess these page turns are a part of life. They make life really good, actually.
I think I am beginning to learn about the beauty of contrast. The adventure and anticipation and awe held within a page turn. And, as I learned early on from Disney's The Lion King, this is part of experiencing the "Circle of Life." And you know what? Sometimes, we don't particularly like when a page turns. Like when it means no more Alice (for now). But on the other side of a page turn could be so much beauty, lessons to be learned, an enriched perspective of life.

So whether you are in the middle of one of life's pages, or nearing a page turn in your life, remember that pages turn like half circles... making a wondrous circle of life that can become the most amazing journey if you'll just let it.

Ciao,
Melly
XO



P.S. As you reflect on the stories of those in your life, remember who writes them. We have a God who holds our book in his hands. And Our God is a Good God.

Thank God for the good things he has placed in your plot line. Thank him for the endurance he allotted you for the rough times. And will it that he can have the pen for the rest of your life's story.