Sunrise, sunset
Sunrise, sunset
Swiftly fly the years
One season following another
Laden with happiness and tears (from the song, "Sunrise, Sunset")
Cindy and I were able to attend "The Fiddler On The Roof" play at the Paramount Theatre in Seattle this past week. At the wedding of their oldest daughter, Tzeitel, Tevye and Golde sing the classic, "Sunrise, Sunset." The song reminded me of the relentless passing of time and life's transitions that we are reluctantly "forced" to walk through. I say "forced" because there is something in us as humans that longs for things to stay the same and never change.
The latest transition for Cindy and me is watching our youngest daughter, Holly Violet, graduate from high school and soon leave home to go to college. The "leaving" began months ago as any parent with a high school senior who drives can attest.
My mind goes back to the circumstances that surrounded Holly's birth. Of all our children she was the only "surprise" of the bunch. A very pleasant surprise but a surprise none the less. Sadly, another surprise hit our family: the breast cancer of my mother and her death on February 2, 1992. Before Mom became too sick she was able to learn that a little girl, Holly Violet, named after her middle name Violet, was on her way. Holly arrived March 19, 1992.
I have always seen my mother in Holly. The lively spring in her step…her happy facial expressions…her love for people and most importantly, her love for God. My mom was an oldest daughter and Holly is our youngest but we have always said that she was "an oldest child in a youngest child's body." She has always carried herself with such confidence and strength, holding her own with two older brothers. Also, her relationship with her sister, Heidi, 14 years older, is an amazing sister-to-sister relationship of equals…a beautiful thing to see.
Her faith journey's beginning was even caught on tape from one of our family vacations at Lake Chelan. The night before, Heidi had just led little Holly through "the sinner's prayer" that of asking Jesus into her heart. We asked Holly while filming, “Where is Jesus?” She replied, "He's in my tummy now…and look, He wants to come out!"
Because of the providence of God in Jeremy's journey that led him to Capstone Treatment Center in Searcy, Arkansas, Holly became familiar with a school in the same town, Harding University. She is heading there this fall.
Do I feel sad and nostalgic at this time? Those of you who know me don't even need to ask! But this is a time for me to celebrate a life that is on its way to make a difference in the world for Christ. Maybe what she said at four was prophetic. He does want to "come out" although not to leave her but to live through her in a world that so desperately needs Him.
I'm so proud of you Holly. Grandma Tutu is too as she smiles down from heaven at her namesake. Mom and I are going to miss your presence in the home but you will always be in our hearts and prayers.
Gratefully,
Jamie
P.S. Read Jeremy's latest blog and Join Jeremy's Journey through prayer, pledging or donating by going to payitforwardsa.org
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