Sunrise. Sunset.

Who remembers that poignant song from the musical Fiddler on the Roof? The words are meaningful.

Sunrise, Sunset. Sunrise. Sunset

Swiftly fly the years.

One season following another,

Laden with happiness and tears....

Is this the little girl I carried?

Is that the little boy at play?

I don't remember growing older,

When did they....?

Doen't that grab your heart as the truth of it resonates resoundingly?

"The passage of time..." (we have heard that phrase a bit lately:)

But the truth is, time's passage passes quickly. The sun rises. The day passes. The sun sets. It rises again....day after beautiful day!

How do we spend those hours from sun up to set down? Many days, it may be a blur. So many tasks. So many decisions. So many things to do, places to go, people to meet, mouths to feed, homework to help with, events to get the kids to, committee meetings to be at, deadlines to meet, volunteering to do, meals to share, coffee dates with friends, cards to write, exercises to do, vacations to plan, schedules to coordinate....

But do we pause? And breath...deep. Do we take a moment to just take it all in? The slobbery smiles, the nods of affirmation, the moments of amusement, the sounds of laughter, the jobs completed, the full tummies, the task accomplished, the beauty out the window, the feel of the breeze, the warmth of the sun, the connections with friends, the opportunities to volunteer, the lovely fall breezes, the crisp winter air, the clear blue skies, the sunlight shining through the trees, the sunrises, the sunsets.

Each day, those hours between sun up and sun down are gifts. God given.

To make a difference. To appreciate and to enjoy. Amidst the blur of busy.

No pressure here. The opposite really. It is okay. It is good. To pause and appreciate the passing of precious time, to take in the breath taking beauty and the simple but wonderful opportunities God gives us with each...

Sunrise. Sunset.