"A Time to Give Birth, A Time to Die"

I was planning to write about week one of the O movement at Chez Blume, but other events have put that particular post on hold.

Monday, I learned that someone with whom I went to high school died suddenly.

Here's the strange part. I was not particularly close with this person in school. I knew people that he knew. I wasn't a part of his crowd, but our crowds kind of overlapped. I remember him being a nice guy though. I recall he was always smiling, having fun. I reconnected with a lot of high school folks through Facebook, including this person.

His death came as a shock. Not having known him all that well, I've been trying to figure out exactly why it affected me as it has. It is sad, of course, to know someone who has died. And he apparently touched a lot of people in his life. Those who were his close friends are reeling. I realized though that not only am I mourning the death of someone I knew, I am also mourning the death of youth. He was my age. I think this is the first real reminder that our younger days, our care-free high school years are well, and truly over.

But as with anything, life must go on. The same day, a friend from work became a first-time grandmother. Her daughter gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. The symmetry of both events made me pause. One of my favorite verses from the Bible is Ecclesiastes 3:1-8. (despite me being a total heathen).

There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven ~
² A time to give birth, and a time to die; A time to plant, and a time to uproot what is planted.
³ A time to kill, and a time to heal; A time to tear down, and a time to build up.
⁴ A time to weep, and a time to laugh; A time to mourn, and a time to dance.
⁵ A time to throw stones, and a time to gather stones; A time to embrace, and a time to shun embracing.
⁶ A time to search, and a time to give up as lost; A time to keep, and a time to throw away.
⁷ A time to tear apart, and a time to sew together; A time to be silent, and a time to speak.
⁸ A time to love, and a time to hate; A time for war, and a time for peace.

Indeed a time to mourn; for a lost friend, lost years and lost chances. But also a time to dance for a new life coming into this world.

And a time to celebrate both lives that have touched those around them with love.