Make a life

When it’s over I want to say: all my life

I was the bride married to amazement

I was the bridegroom, taking the world into my arms

When it’s over I don’t want to wonder

If I have made of my life something particular, and real

I don’t want to find myself sighing and frightened,

Or full of argument

I don’t want to end up simply having visited this world!

                                                          Mary Oliver

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This is a week to say hello

To days gone by

And friends from long ago

To suffer the joys and indignities of a reunion (college)

To join together with people with whom I studied, played

And sang

It will be a time to remember

And a time to reflect upon all the moments in between

The good, the bad, and the ugly

The things I will be thrilled to share

And things of which I am ashamed, and would rather keep hidden

Life is not the faint at heart

It is highs and lows

It is ecstasy and pain

This will also be a week to say goodbye

To a dear friend

Who lived fully for 91 years

She too had moments good and bad

And life was not easy

But she made life

And made her mark

And sang beautifully and joyfully

Whether we are early in the journey

Or in the second half of life

Or even nearing that final reunion with the Sacred

There is simply one thing we must do

Live

Life is not a spectator sport

We can tiptoe through life if we want

But we will miss so much

We are called to be married to amazement (Oliver)

To embrace the joy as it flies (Blake)

We are called to make a life