Sunrise, Sunset

Sunrise Sunset, quickly fly the years.

It felt good this morning to wake up before the sunrise. I think it sounds impressive to say that I was up before the sunrise, but if you are from Indiana you may not be impressed. The sun wasn’t up over the rooftops where I could see it until almost 9:00am. Still, it is good for me to be in the living room sipping my second cup of coffee before 9:00am.  As I sat on my overstuffed couch, staring blankly out the window, I couldn't help but sing to myself...Sunrise, sunset, swiftly fly the years. 

So many memories flood my head. We had to learn this song for forth grade music class. When the teacher told us to get out our music the whole class would roll their eyes and sigh. It wasn’t our favorite selection. This same teacher would occasionally pull out the Beastie Boys and let us sing and dance. We would much rather Fight for Our Right to Party than to sing this song we clearly did not understand. Years later in my early twenties, I watched Fiddler on the Roof for the first time.  My Dad bought the DVD for Larry and me as an acknowledgment of our “Jewishness.” The movie made me cry and cry. The separation from father and daughter really pulled at my heart strings. Still, it ended up being one of my favorite musicals. Since then, my husband has taken me several times to see the stage play. We even had the blessing last year to catch Topol's farewell tour at the Chicago Theater.  I was amazed to see this man at seventy-five singing and dancing. I sure didn’t seem to me like there had been too many sunsets since he had starred in the movie.  He was on his farewell tour. This was the end of his life as Tevye. I’m sure that he was aware of the days that had gone by.  I’m sure the thoughts running through his head when I saw him sing that song on the Chicago stage were worlds away from what he was thinking about when he first sang the song.

That is kinda like me. I no longer roll my eyes and sigh when I here the words of this song.  I understand, I empathize, I realize that my days are quickly flying by.  Before I know it I will be singing my last song.

I’ve been bothered for weeks to make my days count; to cherish the special times that I have with my amazing family. All of my children have the most beautiful big eyes, and they have big hearts to match. I cringe to think that in a blur it will be over. 

One season following another, laden with happiness and tears...

　
The verse on my heart today:
So teach us to number our days that we may present to You a heart of wisdom
Psalm 90:12