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I returned, Tuesday, from a trip in which I celebrated a family wedding and, two days later during this same week, received the news of a family death. Joy followed by sorrow. In this life, laughter and tears pursue one another in unknown and unpredictable cycles.

Although the week’s October temperatures soared to mid-summer highs, I find courage and comfort in the still somewhat predictability of earth’s seasons, in the promises of Scripture, and in the presence of the Spirit of Jesus.

The following poem is my reflection about “Winter”.

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 Fall to Winter,
 Winter to Spring,
 Spring to Summer,
 Summer to Fall—
 
 Fall to Winter;
 We, forever, recycle
 Until abruptly,
 Death ends our denial.
  
 Ashes to ashes,
 Dust to dust;
 Our spirit returns
 To God who is just.
  
 Fall to Winter,
 Winter to Spring,
 Spring to Summer,
 Summer to Fall--
  
 Fall to Winter;
 The cycle is ending
 For someone we love;
 We're still pretending
  
 Winter will come.
 Spring will soon follow.
 We hope for more time;
 Death’s hard to swallow.
  
 Fall to Winter,
 Winter to Spring,
 Spring to Summer,
 Summer to Fall--
 
 Fall to Winter;
 Too soon comes the call.
 We hear it with hope
 And still try to stall--
  
 Not wanting to leave,
 Not wanting to stay,
 There’s conflict within;
 We struggle and pray.
  
 Fall to Winter,
 Winter to Spring,
 Spring to Summer,
 Summer to Fall--
 
 Fall to Winter;
 The battle is over.
 Victory’s been won!
 We see composure--
  
 Peace on the face
 Of a loved one departed;
 The cycle goes on;
 Yet, death’s been outsmarted.
  
 Fall to Winter,
 Winter to Spring,
 Spring to Summer,
 Summer to Fall--
  
 Fall to Winter;
 Will I cycle once more?
 My question’s not answered;
 I cannot be sure.
  
 Grace upon grace
 Has been given to me;
 I wonder, sometimes,
 At the goodness received.
  
 Fall to Winter,
 Winter to Spring,
 Spring to Summer,
 Summer to Fall--
  
 Fall to Winter;
 In this moment of time,
 What will I do 
 With breath that is mine?
  
 I’ll not stay too long
 In my lament;
 I can never recover
 Time not well spent.
 
 Fall to Winter,
 Winter to Spring,
 Spring to Summer,
 Summer to Fall--
 
 Fall to Winter;
 I’m more peaceful this year.
 Though I may tremble
 And feel insecure,
  
 I know from experience,
 Grace will be sufficient. 
 In joy and in sorrow,
 God has been present.
  
 Fall to Winter,
 Winter to Spring,
 Spring to Summer,
 Summer to Fall-- 

 Fall to Winter . . .
 
 Jane Ault
 10/3/2019