As We Have Done Before

My daughter sent this photo of my granddaughter Zadie “smoking the competition” in a recent relay race. This 12-year -old who I love beyond all reason uplifting my heart with this image of her charging into her future with such energy, such confidence, such speed and determination. The same day, I saw a Facebook memory of someone offering condolences for the passing of my mother. It was almost a week ago, on April 6^th, 10 years ago, that I became an orphan. 10 years ago! 

 

All of this happened while on a break teaching in Toronto and here in my little temporary office, I found myself in tears. The kind that hold all emotions— the sorrow, the grief, the pride, the humility, the sweet and the bitter, all together at once. Off I went to teach my next class of 5-year-olds, but now a larger person with my Mom and granddaughter by my side as I went “Marching ‘Round the Circle, as we have done before.” And as I do now and as I will do yet again. The past and present and future all together in the dancing ring. 

 

Because that’s the truth. 10 years have gone by like a lightning flash in the sky, but here I am again, feeling that moment of my Mom’s passing. Zadie was 2 then and here she is, on the cusp of the teen years roaring through to young adulthood and running with the baton in her hand. A baton that my Mom handed to her, mythologically-speaking. Life indeed moves in circles at the same time that it marches forward and flashes backward and all of our many incarnations are present all at once. 

 

It feels like a Biblical passage to consider that thou shalt do as thou hath done before and now doth do and shalt forever do. And that’s the Gospel truth.