Time Marches On
My friend, Maggie Rowe, writes a blog, which I heartily recommend: maggie@maggierowe.com. In her recent post, March 4th, she quotes Elizabeth Hudson. "March is the only month that is both a noun and a verb, an instruction, a direction, an encouragement to move, to stomp, to stride, to strut. To Spring forward!"
And that's what we get to do this coming Sunday. We get to Spring Forward. Although, it's wise to set your clocks ahead on Saturday night or you're apt to be late when Sunday shows up. Chalk it up as timely advice. I've gotta add, that as much as I Iike more daylight, I'm unclear as to why we're still doing this. It seems like by the time I get the microwave, stove, assorted clocks in the house and in my car reset, it's time to Fall Back.
Well, time marches on, whether we stomp, stride, strut or stay seated. A few days before March showed up, my son and his friend, Tim, stopped by to take down my Christmas tree. I was getting desperate. Not for fear of a fire, it's artificial, but because Spring was approaching. And I couldn't figure out how to make the tree look appropriately dressed for the occasion. To my son's credit, I was in California, and then one thing or another kept me from yelling for help. But as they left, deed done, one of them said, "Well, we won't need to put that up for another nine months." Time flies.
And then Fiddler came to mind, "Sunrise, sunset, swiftly fly the years. One season following another. Laden with happiness and tears." So true. For sure, at the moment, this feels like a season laden with more tears than happiness. But we dare not tune out because we're tired, or cowed by fear. Tough times, bullies and folks making poor choices aren't new.
But neither are quiet every day folks making good choices. Hidden heroes. People, young and old, being kind, generous, faithful. People risking their lives for my sake and for a greater good. They probably won't make the front page or the evening news. But they are making a difference. We all know someone who fits the description. The challenge is to be one.
One of those quiet good folks is my friend, June. She gave me a book for Christmas, Great Quotes from Great Women. Here's a sample. Malala Yousafzai, 2014 winner of the Nobel Peace Prize said, "When the whole world is silent, even one voice becomes powerful."
Don't let fear silence your voice or keep you seated. It's March. So Spring Forward with hope. And remember, love's always in season.
4 Comments
Thank you for the reminder not to succumb to fear from those higher up than we are...also, love the reference to Fiddler! That bittersweet song lingers for me.
Fear's contagious. But so is hope. I'm counting on "hidden heroes" like you and Andrew to spread hope in Utah and beyond. Thanks, dear Alyssa, for taking the time to comment. Songs have a way of lingering to remind us of what matters. I can picture you dancing to Sunrise, Sunset.
Jan, I'm so honored that you recommended my Tuesday Letters. Thank you! I subscribe to lots of blogs, but yours is actually the only one I read 100% of the time. I'm enrolled in the School of Lifelong Learning, and you're one of my esteemed professors.
The author I quoted in the MARCH meme is the Editor of our NC state magazine (cleverly called Our State.) It's a beautiful glossy monthly that features the people and places of the Tar Heel state. Elizabeth Hudson started her editor's column with those words last year, and I saved them to share. I'm glad they resonated with you, too!
Since I have family in North Carolina, so I've seen and read that magazine. It's a beautiful representation of a varied and beautiful state. Thanks for all the encouragement you send my way, dear Maggie.