Issue 50.12
There’s a time for everything under heaven: A time to be born and a time to die….. A time to laugh and a time to cry. A time to mourn and a time to dance….. Eccle: 3:1
Whether we are celebrating the beginning of a life or the end of life, it is the perfect time in the eyes of God. If we apply these words of wisdom from Ecclesiastes to our life and live them, it can be the perfect time in our eyes also.
Our culture often denies death as a reality of life. But dying is as much as part of life as being born. Whether we are at the beginning of life or the end of life or somewhere in between, life is a gift bestowed on us with the condition that it is for a limited time here on earth. Psalm 139 states this so eloquently: “All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them existed.” Life is a precious gift of time we have to share with each other. A time to laugh and time to cry together; Time to love and be loved.
When we were born our parents took care of us, staying up at night, changing our diapers, feeding us and taking care of our every need. Such a time was not a burden to them. They lovingly gave their time, energy and finances to supporting and raising us until we were able to care for ourselves.
When a parent is dying, the roles become reversed. We soon realize this as we assist them in activities of daily living: feeding them, bathing them, helping them dress and even going potty. This is an opportune time for us to give back to them what they so lovingly gave us at our birth.
I was reminded of this as I watched a daughter caring for her aging mother during a recent visit. Her mother had just celebrated her 90th birthday but she was bedridden and unable to move her hands and arms. Her daughter lovingly fed her as you would a child who is too young to feed themselves. It was a tender moment seeing the daughter parenting her mother.
Our roles continue to change throughout life and often become reversed. At such times we are called upon to be of service to those who so lovingly served us. It is during these times we discover how much our parents really loved us.
Love is the hidden gift of life that is always present as we go through the various stages and roles of living. No matter what stage of life or circumstance you find yourself in, may you experience the precious gift of Love this Christmas season.
Rev. Luigi Persichetti is the chaplain for Southern Utah Home Care and Hospice and retired Unity minister from Unity Center of Positive Living in St. George.