Of Marches and Circles -

As I "age," I realize more and more that life is cyclical - not just my life or that of seasons or families, but of knowledge, beliefs, wonder, discovery.

Knowledge - we build on existing knowledge, and we need to continually examine those beliefs for them to remain alive. And the younger generation will always have "aha" moments to info some of us older folks will think is old news. I think of how university sophomores often perform "Vagina Monologue" as if it was a cutting new play, rather than written in 1996, but what is old to me is new to someone else. And I respect that. 

Beliefs - line upon line, precept on precept. And constantly needing to be reinforced, because doubt is part of human nature. When I am questioned, I have to return to my roots and examine them. Do I believe? Why? How? And its value to me now is . . . 

Wonder - The other day Tommy looked at his shadow and said, "Look, there are four of me!" It was beautiful, and when I see someone seeing something for the first time, regardless of how many times I've seen or known this, that sense of wonder is lit in me. 

Discovery - Neon colors, paisleys, vegetarianism, Sunday naps, saying "no," marching for a cause - what was once old is now new, regardless of its origin. It may have been hip in the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, and it is again - aha's don't pause. 

And so marching for a cause - I respect, I appreciate, I acknowledge, but for me, as it was 30+ years ago, I'm taking care of my own. I didn't burn my bra in the 80s, and I won't wear a pussy hat in 2017. However, just as then, I will take care of my marriage, my children, my beliefs, continue to reach out to gain knowledge, and pray that every day I will discover something new, and live in the wonder that is life, that is a circle game. 

March on - 

Yesterday a child came out to wonder

Caught a dragonfly inside a jar

Fearful when the sky was full of thunder

And tearful at the falling of a star

And the seasons they go round and round

And the painted ponies go up and down

We're captive on the carousel of time

We can't return we can only look behind

From where we came

And go round and round and round

In the circle game

Then the child moved ten times round the seasons

Skated over ten clear frozen streams

Words like, when you're older, must appease him

And promises of someday make his dreams

And the seasons they go round and round

And the painted ponies go up and down

We're captive on the carousel of time

We can't return we can only look behind

From where we came

And go round and round and round

In the circle game

Sixteen springs and sixteen summers gone now

Cartwheels turn to car wheels through the town

And they tell him,

Take your time, it won't be long now

Till you drag your feet to slow the circles down

And the seasons they go round and round

And the painted ponies go up and down

We're captive on the carousel of time

We can't return we can only look behind

From where we came

And go round and round and round

In the circle game

So the years spin by and now the boy is twenty

Though his dreams have lost some grandeur coming true

There'll be new dreams, maybe better dreams and plenty

Before the last revolving year is through

And the seasons they go round and round

And the painted ponies go up and down

We're captive on the carousel of time

We can't return, we can only look behind

From where we came

And go round and round and round

In the circle game

And go round and round and round

In the circle game

Joni Mitchell

Tom Rush