So many Soons, Some Too
Soon – my son’s fiance graduates from nursing school. How soon? Probably by the time you read this. Their wedding is soon – as soon as the leaves turn their fall flaming and butter colors. Soon, I celebrate my 40th wedding anniversary – but that’s an inbetween soon. There’s happy soons, agitated soons, sad soons, celebration soons, grieving soons, respite soons, testing soons, birthing soons. Can I rest soon? Will the cake be done soon? How soon, I ask the vet.
So many soons are swirling around
in the news, in the church, in the weather reports,
in my home
Soons are time markers for waiting
waiting for predictions to work themselves out
– truth tellers, charlatans, specialists, talkers
time markers for a mama to maybe catch her breath
or wait for little ones to grow for doing their wantings.
When will the babies birds fly, asks little learners.
Soon, I answer.
How much longer until dinner?
“Soon. Go play,” I say.
Soon enough for tests to be completed, for bank accounts to grow
for growing up things like houses and couches.
soons for babies to be born and words to learn.
When will night-times not be filled with a babies’ cry?
soon
How much longer, God, I ask, about prayers sent out.
“Soon,” He says.
Soons for hellos, soons for good-byes,
soons for time for remembering and sorting through.
When will the laughter come after a hard good-bye?
Soon!
Some soons aren’t for dancing.
Some soons are for tears,
but with the tears, soon comes the remembering
of the good things that were once soons.
Some things, no matter how long it takes,
are always too soon.
Right now, we’re in the wait of a sad soon. Her boys who have grown up to sleep in their own homes are visiting, comforting, cuddling, giving lots of love to the family’s hospitality committee on four legs. “Sadie’s such a lady,” they’ve always said. She might dress up as Ruth Sadie Ginsberg for Halloween, but she’s what a pure heart looks like. Soon is much too soon!
Won’t you join me over at Kate’s Place for 5 Minute Friday? Sit down, pull over a cup of Wild Apple Ginger Tea, and see what everybody else is writing about the word . . . “Soon.” Maybe you can join in – it’s just 5 minutes. Maybe you just want to have some writing fun – or maybe you need to write something out to help your heart.
Some soons by a twist of fate
make time go all a-swirly
when they come much, much too late,
or when they come too early,
and we’re unready either way;
too little time, or got complacent,
and I guess at end of day
we’ve just got to be more patient,
take each moment as it’s given,
and not look on too far ahead
to when our hearts by time be riven,
or overfilled with joy instead,
’cause such anticipation’s how
we miss the bright gift of the Now.
Beautifull said, Andrew! Definitely holding close “the bright gift of now.”
Maryleigh, it is so true – some things happen sooner than we’d like or expect. I am so grateful the Lord is close to us at those times. May we live each day embracing all it brings as soon the day is past, and may we hold onto the memories each day brings.
We’re remembering the blessings and loving her right back for as long as we can!
Wild apple ginger tea? That sounds delicious. My kids are still growing at home, but I can only imagine their response of SOON when I ask when they will visit.
I invite with “I’m cooking out – want to come?” I’m fortunate. One family lives in the neighborhood and I help with the kiddos, so that is a bonus for people coming through the door. So far, they are very intentional about time with both families when they marry. I have seen asking, “When will you visit” puts the pressure on them – so I invite and try to choose easy times for them. With the cost of living today, it is a financial relief when I cook for them, too:)
Sweet pictures of Sadie. Love the one where she’s all dressed up for Halloween.
My heart goes out to you as this soon approaches.
She definitely adds a seasoning this family needs- maybe it’s a gentleness because she’s so gentle. She was given meds that seem to be making an impact, but they are such big issues – we have been blindsided though she is within her life-expectancy typical of goldens. We are being intentional with our time with her. The boys have all been here giving her their time and love. THank yo for your kindness!
aw, love up on your Sadie. She looks like she’s lived a life well-loved. FMF21
She has, indeed! Thanks for enjoying her along with us!