Autumn has always been my favorite time of year, probably because each day reflects the changes of weather, the seasons and life itself. Some days are sunny and warm, some are full of color, some are cold and blustery, some are white with snow, but all are full of life and make me appreciate the blessing of just being here to enjoy them. Today as we share time with family and friends, take a moment to think of that empty seat at the table, and share a few thoughts with our monarch brothers and sisters who are no longer here to enjoy the changing days with us.

Thank you all for ever being a part of my own life. You have made it whole and our many friendships and connections brighten each day of the Autumn of my life.

Our classmate, Mike Jones, has prepared a message for us today about the changing seasons and the blessings of our life: 

We are entering another holiday season. They certainly roll around quickly these days. I am beginning to understand why people  leave their Christmas lights year around. For most of us it is likely that the holidays have become more about people and less about stuff. It certainly has for me. We have all become aware that our lives have been lived in seasons as well. No need to recount them but it is safe to say that we all find ourselves in the last season. That has certainly been evident recently as more of our classmates have passed on. Many of us are still healhy, active and vibrant and others are failing. We are among the first generations to remain connected to each other through social media. It is a blessing and perhaps a bit of a curse. We get to share our grandkids, our achievments and we learn of many more classmates who have died than we would have without modern communication. What we get to know about each other provides reasons to be joyful and yet can be quite sobering.                                                                                                                                                                          

In our youth, many would contend that we had the best music, and it is hard to argue. One American group with a distinctly English sound was the Byrds. David Crosby was a member of The Byrds. One of their number 1 hits was a song written by Pete Seeger in the late 50's. The song was "Turn! Turn! Turn! Except for the title and the last 2 verses, the lyrics are the first eight verses of the third chapter of The Book of Ecclesiastes in The Old Testament of the Bible:

 There is a time for everything,

    and a season for every activity under the heavens:

2     a time to be born and a time to die,

    a time to plant and a time to uproot,

3     a time to kill and a time to heal,

    a time to tear down and a time to build,

4     a time to weep and a time to laugh,

    a time to mourn and a time to dance,

5     a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,

    a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,

6     a time to search and a time to give up,

    a time to keep and a time to throw away,

7     a time to tear and a time to mend,

    a time to be silent and a time to speak,

8     a time to love and a time to hate,

    a time for war and a time for peace.

            The timeless wisdom and accuracy of these verses is striking. As we turn the corner and head down the home stretch let us all strive to be kind and good to everyone we encounter. We have all fought battles and life has taken a toll. We would not have it any other way. So, may the blessings of the season be upon you and fill the hearts of you and yours with joy!

Mike Jones

24 November 2022

MHS 1969

A gatekeeper sat at the entrance to a small town to greet all newcomers moving into the town. A person approached the gatekeeper and was greeted with “Welcome to our little town. I’m here to answer questions and make your entry into our community as easy as possible.” The newcomer, looking haggard from his journey says, “I sure hope the people here aren’t as unfriendly, self-serving and mean as in the town I just came from”. With a somber tone the gatekeeper apologized and remarked “Friend, I am sorry to say that you are going to find the people here to be exactly the same as in the town you just left”. With a defeated look the newcomer slogged into the new town. The next day another person who was about to take up residence in the small town approached the gate. “Welcome to our little town. I’m here to answer questions and make your entry into our community as easy as possible.” With a big smile this second newcomer remarked “I sure hope the people here are as friendly, selfless and kind as in the town I just came from”. The gatekeeper said “Friend I am delighted to say that you are going to find the people here to be exactly the same as in the town you just left”. With head held high the second newcomer entered the town. I know, I know, this is a corny story but it illustrates perfectly that we are likely to find what we look for in other people. We have a choice. Look for the good and celebrate it!

2020….ugh! Most of us will celebrate its passing and rue having had to live through it. But we have almost made it and though challenging, to say the least, I am looking forward to seeing the good changes that will come out of this experience as we have had to adopt new ways of doing things. Much gratitude to front line workers. Look for the good and celebrate it!

In the past few years there has been heartburn about people saying” Happy Holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas”. We already have enough things that cause contention between us and this one is just silly. This isn’t a war on Christmas. There are no fewer than 12 different religious holidays between November 20^th and January 24th. When someone says Happy Holidays to you remember that they don’t know what you believe but they are wishing you joy and happiness.  So Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays or Happy Seasonal Ritual of Choice. We are alike in so many more ways than we are different. LOOK FOR THE GOOD and CELEBRATE IT!

GO MONARCHS 

Mike Jones

December 24, 2020