New or old; Up-to-the-minute or not-getting-any-younger

I’ve just returned from a quick visit to Kansas to visit family and old friends, and the contrast of my experiences of the few days has me wondering about balance. Do the new and exciting events balance out the events that could carry a label of old? But rather than new and old, I prefer to think of it as up-to-the-minute and not-getting-any-younger.
A nephew graduated high school – a wonderful recent event that was cause for celebration. But a dear friend’s elderly father also passed away, causing me to contemplate that none of us are getting any younger. Yet, he was a well-respected Christian man and was overheard quietly singing Jesus Loves Me just hours before he took his final breath. I say–that is another cause for celebration.
My husband’s high school class reunited to mark their 35th year since their graduation–none of them are getting any younger, but yet, one classmate was honored with a surprise wedding shower. He will be walking the aisle for his first marriage ceremony in a few weeks–hallelujah! He is embarking on a new and wonderful voyage! Blessings to the new Mr. and Mrs!
We also had the privilege of celebrating Father’s Day with my 83 year old father, his twin brother, and another well-loved uncle. But they weren’t the only fathers at the dinner. My husband and two of my brothers were also present–all fathers! We would be nowhere without them, old and new alike. And while some of the stories told on Sunday were new and previously untold, there were also memories of those who were not able to be with us any longer. We shall never forget them either.
And finally, yet other family and friends were spoke of kindly, but their illnesses were not remembered with kindness. For my lovely Aunt Betty, we cursed the cancer that has her diminishing daily. We fondly spoke about Aunt Diana and her delight at living the clean, country life–but why, oh why did she also succumb to cancer? Grandmothers and Grandfathers are missed at each and every family gathering–I’m sure our family is not unique but none of us are getting any younger. We must remember to keep our memories up-to-the-minute, and never forget that we can learn from our past–not just the past that we created, but also from the past that our family lived through. Our heritage is where they walked, the land they fought for and earned, and the trials and education that made them (and us) who we are today.
And now, my closing bit of wisdom is: when you look at a tree, do you see the old broken limbs or the new baby leaves? When you look at a wheat field that is nearly ripe and ready for harvest, do you also notice the ancient building standing amidst the stalks of grain and wonder about its history? When you look at your precious relatives and friends living out their final days, don’t forget that this is just the final chapter in their stories. Keep their memories alive and remember them as young and vital: up-to-the-minute!