 |
| The Unshakeable presence of a God who never leaves. |
Life-there is a season
Deep love, deep fears, endearing dreams, beautiful lives,
Walking today in that time between two seasons
winter to spring
Trees and vines now bare of their blossoms, beauty, and leaves,
Soon flourishing again
Children and grandchildren through the seasons,
Change, Fleeting
Like a breath you take, you inhale deeply,
Holding the breath for fear of letting go
Walking, seeing campus buildings being razed
Once meeting all the needs
Now new ones constructed so far greater than ever imagined back then
Family and relationships being built when you didn’t even know it was happening.
Ones you never want to part.
It’s so hard to let go
Beautiful lives happen and grow
A day may come to “Let it go.
Greatly let it go.” 1
We see someone born, learn to walk, learn to talk,
interact and express love to relatives,
grow to school age then college, marriage and children of their own
We’ve seen them walk along the lake with all its newness and grandeur
Playing in the waves and sand and trees
Watch the Crimson and white petals flow down the street in a little river after the rain
Never wanting to let this go
“But if the while I think on thee, dear friend,
All losses are restor'd, and sorrows end.” 2
Where does this love of others come from but God
The seed is planted, and you see the mind and personality grow
And you see this person give and receive love to the point where you never thought possible
The thought of letting this go is incomprehensible.
Time. "In my experience …., there is no such thing as a 'long time ago'. There's only memories that mean something and memories that don't." 3
We traveled east to west with you-west to east again
From glacier lake to mountain passes, snow in June
To the Tetons Alpenglow beauty
Brooklyn to DC to the Water’s point to where the Fern grows
Gill Hollow to Pleasant hills forever
Heart’s racing to proud smiles
Sleepless nights to mornings bright
Plans and dreams steps along the way
Promising to be there for one another as the years go fleeting
Remembering our story, remembering our Creator and life together
"So long as men can breathe or eyes can see,
So long lives this, and this gives life to thee." 4
Life-there is a season
Deep love, deep fears, endearing dreams, beautiful lives,
Walking today in that time between two seasons
winter to spring
Trees and vines now bare of their blossoms, beauty, and leaves,
Soon flourishing again
Children and grandchildren through the seasons,
Change, Fleeting
Like a breath you take, you inhale deeply,
Holding the breath for fear of letting go
Walking, seeing campus buildings being razed
Once meeting all the needs
Now new ones constructed so far greater than ever imagined back then
Family and relationships being built when you didn’t even know it was happening.
Ones you never want to part.
It’s so hard to let go
Beautiful lives happen and grow
A day may come to “Let it go.
Greatly let it go.” 1
We see someone born, learn to walk, learn to talk,
interact and express love to relatives,
grow to school age then college, marriage and children of their own
We’ve seen them walk along the lake with all its newness and grandeur
Playing in the waves and sand and trees
Watch the Crimson and white petals flow down the street in a little river after the rain
Never wanting to let this go
“But if the while I think on thee, dear friend,
All losses are restor'd, and sorrows end.” 2
Where does this love of others come from but God
The seed is planted, and you see the mind and personality grow
And you see this person give and receive love to the point where you never thought possible
The thought of letting this go is incomprehensible.
Time. "In my experience …., there is no such thing as a 'long time ago'. There's only memories that mean something and memories that don't." 3
We traveled east to west with you- west to east again
To the north and south and south and north again
From glacier lake to mountain passes, snow in June
To the Tetons Alpenglow beauty
Brooklyn to DC to the water’s point to where the Fern grows
Gill Hollow to Pleasant hills forever
Heart’s racing to proud smiles
Sleepless nights to mornings bright
Plans and dreams steps along the way
Promising to be there for one another as the years go fleeting
Remembering our story, remembering our Creator and life together
"So long as men can breathe or eyes can see,
So long lives this, and this gives life to thee." 4
Life-there is a season, Glimpse poetry by Joe Holuta
About this poem: Life-there is a season is a poem about the fleeting times of this beautiful life and how each season of life has so much to recall as well as look forward to in hope. Growth seems to happen in a blink. Each child, grandchild, and in-law provide new avenues of unique blessing and spark. The thought of this time ending is incomprehensible to me. Our love is so deep that I know we will continue to be there for one another. May we continue to pass on to those that follow the "My life for yours" family spirit that is evident in each one of your lives.
When our brief time here does end may we realize the truth of eternal life together where the newness each of you have brought to my life will continue!
"I looked again and could hardly believe my eyes. Everything above me was new. Everything below me was new. Everything around me was new...
He will wipe away every tear from their eyes.
Death will be no more;
Mourning no more, crying no more, pain no more,
For the first things have gone away.
And the One who sat on the throne announced to His creation,
'See, I am making all things new'."
References:
1. Requiem, Rainier Maria Rilke
2. Sonnet 30, Shakespeare's Sonnets and poems,
3. Sylvester Stallone,
4. Sonnet 18, Shakespeare's Sonnets and poems,
5. Revelation 21: 1,4-5 VOICE
****************
The breath of influence of each life!
Matt
Love traveling with you! Texas to Washington and Washington to PA.
Seeing things, I’ve never seen before the Grand Canyon, Lakes, Jackson Hole, Tetons, Beartooth basin...
One of the highlights was having snow at Beartooth Basin pass and skiing in June, also when we went to Tremblant from Watertown the travel to Quebec- the evening walking around and getting dinner more highlights skiing at crystal and Whistler Blackcomb, Vermont and Snowbird Alta.
Teenage trip to DC to Air Force Museum.
Visits to the PNW have been amazing along with summer beach vacations. You’re a great husband, father and leader.
Jonathan
Jon, I always feel secure with you, you’re a good man!
I enjoy working with you around your homes, mixing cement, putting up fence renovating. Also enjoyed skiing Timberline with you and hiking in the Highlands together on your birthdays. Remember when you were a teenager, we went camping at Ohiopyle.
Love skiing with you at Whistler Blackcomb, Vermont and in Alta Snowbird Utah, A-basin was one of the best days.
Enjoyed our beach vacations so much. You’re a great husband, father and excellent leader and engineer.
Rachel
Rachel, some of the finest memories of you were when you were doing your urban track teaching and you moved to Pittsburgh. The time was so big and so much fun. Then taking you for interviews to Philly and DC. Moving to Manhattan for the summer from Brooklyn and walking around there together. The Move to DC and your first job and all that entailed. Love seeing you as a mom and wonderful wife. You have such a positive smile, attitude, and energy and are an amazing teacher, coach, and leader.
Skiing together and summers at Hoyt Drive and the beach vacations are highlights.
Emily
I do want you to take the chair. Please have a seat here. Such a sensitive awesome person. Great mom and priceless wife. Love skiing with you at Jay Peak in the woods and Holiday Valley. Enjoyed our year together at our home when your apartment didn’t work out and Covid hit. You were such a source of blessing and strength for mom and me.
Love when we moved you to Brooklyn for summer and then the move to Bethesda and DC, then to Water's Point. You are a strong person and you’ve had a lot of firsts for being the youngest child. We’re so grateful for summers together at home and at the beach. You're a creative leader in your work and always looking out for the other person and how you can come alongside to serve.
Jayne
You’re the love of my life!
Seriously your brown eyes got me the first time I saw you!
You’ve been such a joy over the years!
Love traveling with you out west and north, east and south.
Our times together and great anniversary getaways- one of the highlights of my life.
You’re such a great wife, mom, and Nana! You always think of the way forward and you don’t look back!
You are my wildflower - unpredictably beautiful, planted and growing in every place, not needing much to be beautifully attractive!
When I think of you, I think of blue
Blue sky day, blue as the sea
Blue the flower petal that lines our way
Blue the days you lift my heart
To carry on another day
Blue as the beauty you ribbon tie to extend love
To your children dear, and their children too
Your nature is far above the fray
That troubles many a day
Cyndi, Abby, Lawerence and Zach
You truly are not outlaws, but that time at the beach when you guys created your Outlaw shirts was one of the highlights of our vacations and so funny. It was a wake-up call for me to appreciate each of you and the strengths you have brought into marriage with our sons and daughters and the added joy to our family.
Each of you truly have been so flexible in walking out our relationship together and we are so thankful you each bring such joy to all the family.
Your smiles, your endurance, forgiveness and your family orientation to make your marriage and children the best in every way have been wonderful qualities.
Great leaders in your careers and in the communities you live.
Grandchildren
Appreciate each of you having such positive attitudes over the years.
Our times together at the beach, our visits to your homes, and summertime at Hoyt Drive have been the highlights of our life!
Each of you look on the positive side of life!
Great seeing you encouraging one another.
The summer times we have had together at our home have been wonderful. We’ve enjoyed seeing each of you at our home and interacting with one another around the pool and picnic times.
We’ve walked along the beach, and now the sand has become firm under your feet.
We’ve ridden bikes in a meadow and laughed so hard we couldn’t move playing games.
We’ve seen creative skits that have made us laugh and seen each of your unique personalities developing.
Hiking and skiing with you have tired us out at times.
All of you are creative, developing painting skill in art and writing.
Legos, dancing, instruments, playing basketball, and track, pogo stick and trampolines -such a full life!.
We seen you care for the younger cousins so gently and lovingly, and bring them alongside you.
My favorite memories are the pictures of you together over the years at summer beach vacations at Timeout, Crazy Crab, and Blue Hawaii! Beautiful children with great futures ahead of you.
In life there is a season for everything
“The passing away that happens around and within us is real-
But that which is permanent colors the temporary with hope and meaning. No longer is the passing away the primary reality. The overriding Truth is new, everlasting life in the gospel of Jesus.” 1
"a life that revolves around loving your family doesn't equate to a small life"
"What I don't know is why I thought it would never end. When you're young, you take it for granted that people will just always be there. You don't realize the richness of a life well- lived and don't question how it all happened."
"Because every moment in what some might consider a small life was a moment painted with great love. Their impact will never be forgotten. We all have bits and pieces of the things that belonged to them. And more than that, we have the lessons they taught us, the memories they gave us, the stories they told, and the way they loved their family, day in and day out.
These are the things they handed down to us when we didn't even know we were paying attention." 2
References:
- Raechel Myers, She Reads Truth
- Melanie Shankle, Church of the Small Things: The Million Little Pieces That Make Up a Life
