As I noted last week, my father recently died. I imagine I’m just at the beginning of a trajectory of grief and loss. This has been complicated by a handful of family members, including Henry and I, subsequently coming down with COVID-19. As I pondered what to write for this week’s post and struggled to focus, I remembered witnessing the cycle of life during prior summer visits to Colorado landscapes recovering from wildfire.
I’ve written before about living with wildfire in the desert southwest. It’s part of life here. It will likely become even more prevalent as our planet adapts to the stressors placed upon her by more than eight billion people. Yet fire brings new growth as well as devastation. Some pine trees have actually adapted to fire by developing pinecones that are, in essence, sealed shut by resin. Only fire can melt the resin, release the seeds, and thus begin the new cycle of life.
The cyclical pattern of life was brought home to me on the Sunday after my father’s death. When visiting Albuquerque, we tend to worship at St. Michael and All Angels church. Checking service times online, we discovered that they are in a time of leadership transition, which certainly resonated with my own sense of disorientation. Yet the service I attended (Henry was already sick) included the baptism of two young children. Leadership transition and any correlative uncertainty about the future were (at least to some degree) irrelevant to the ongoing life cycle of the congregation.
In all aspects of nature, the cycle of life continues. New lives arise and are welcomed into the community, even as other lives end—like my father’s. Grass sprouts alongside the charred remains of stately pines. It’s all part of the cycle of life—thanks be to God.
I invite you this week to keep watch for signs of the cycle of life. Where do you see both death and new life, endings and beginnings? How can you give thanks for all of it?
Good morning Shirin, so sad to hear of your loss. Prayers and blessings to you, Henry and your family in your grief and recovery from Covid. Julian of Norwich has a prayer asking God to convince us of his LOVE. I know you are convinced and may that faith be with you in this cycle. Peace, Tom
Thank you, Tom. I’m grateful for your prayers and blessings, and yes, love and faith are sustaining us at this point in the cycle.
Peace to you as well!
Shirin
I echo Tom in the condolences on your loss and in prayers for a complete recovery from Covid for all of your family. I see beginnings and endings in nature all around us at this point in spring. The palo verdes and wildflowers everywhere are spectacular, yet they are already fading. Their lives are indeed short, which reminds us to appreciate them fully while they are with us. We’ve all heard the phrase “here today, gone tomorrow.” It applies to our lives as well. Praise God for endings and new beginnings! The cycle continues.
Thank you, Aston. Yes, our ephemeral and gorgeous palo verde blooms are a lovely reminder of the fleetingness of life. Fortunately, other blooms are emerging, like the desert willow. And other gifts will emerge as the cycle of life continues. Thank you for your condolences and prayers for those infected by COVID.
Peace,
Shirin