The times of the seasons

Many songs have been written about aging and seasons. There was the great Sinatra hit: "When I was 17", that reminded a generation of their impending age and the reflective tenor of the melody was evident as the verses transversed different stages of life. I am reminded of the song for several reasons. I have lived past 17, 35 and at 55 I can see the autumn of my life beginning to move toward winter...but not yet!!!



It is a blessing to live to see certain ages and more to surpass them. Each time mile stones are achieved, we ought to pause and reflect and then assist those coming up so they too can enjoy the these ages. That however is the problem: we are seeing more of our young people adopting an attitude of slothfulness than ever before. I will not blame the current thought of materialism, things are not destroying our young. Things are not affecting our character and things do not create violence. The motivation for things to occupy minds instead of demanding achievement has helped the young miss their potential. Too many young people are unprepared for life lessons: failure to accept limitations, recognizing that winning is not the only thing, but learning from failure is the great teacher. I am appalled that we give trophies out for participation. Not that this is a bad idea, but what does it really say? Does it teach the lesson that we fail as well as win. What about adversity? How do we instill in the young strength when it all goes bad?



There are seasons of despair and privation; there are times of depression and prosperity, and there are times when we are right and times when we are wrong...really wrong. It is in those times lessons are learned. It is in the cauldron, the kitchen the heat that we either quit or survive. To survive not only demands a person over come but to acknowledge how much more one needs to learn.

In the movie Annapolis, there is a scene where the boxing instructor explains why it is a requirement to learn the art of boxing. It was not to create fighters, nor to spur competition (there is enough of that naturally at service academies!!!!!). No the reason that boxing is taught is to see just how mentally tough you are in adversity. Sometimes we get whipped, and, it the recovery which is measured: how do you react when the going is rough? This is critical especially in a fight when the odds look bad. So it is in life for all of us: stuff gets, looks, and is bad! Many times in my life and in the lives of those close to me we have had to struggle with loss, privation and failure. And we have not had the support we needed at those critical times. Yet with the help of God and fellows that served as rams in the bush some how we were able to over come and not be overwhelmed.

That is the life question all must face. It is the travel we go through to be human. It is the reflection on a song we heard when we were much younger than before, and not a s wise as we are now! It is the anthem we sing as old age brings solace and sanguine moments and yes senior moments as we try to forget the pain life dealt. As the song ends we hear the singer say that they drank it all to the bitter dregs, reminding all that life has bitters mixed in to remind us that all is not easy nor should it be. Later