In a world where all else is changing by the minute, some things, thank heavens, will never change.
In a world where change is ‘the thing’ and old customs and values are heedlessly tossed aside as worthless, it’s easy to find much to fret over, and hard to find anything for solace. At such times it’s good to remember that even in the midst of the whirlpool of change, some things remain constant.
A newborn infant still clutches one’s fingers in the same tight clasp, bringing tears of wonder to the new mother, utter devotion from the father and deep thankfulness for the continuation of life to grandparents.
The first bicycle is still the most wonderful gift a six or seven year old can get, and will likely ride it with more pride and sense of adventure than they will ever again feel, too, for in this blasé age, the first car is often greeted with only a ‘it’s about time’ yawn.
Little girls still play with dolls and have parties where endless cups of punch are drunk along with endless dishes of dry cereal.
And . . . if you can force yourself to get out of bed by five or six any morning, you’ll see dawn come over the Wasatch mountains as it has for eons, and will continue to do so for more and more eons. You’ll see its beauty light up the sleeping valley, feel that God still is in His heaven, and wonder why you‘re too stupid or lazy to rise at that hour, and feel that rapture more often.
The pride of accomplishment one feels upon the completion of a hard job, well done, is still the same, too. For work that has taxed the mind, imagination and patience, once done, is so fulfilling that even the work and sweat that was required, is recalled with satisfaction.
The swift cut of despair when death touches your life is ever the same and a letter, or email, from a loved one remains pure magic. It could be from a lover, husband, son or daughter, from a missionary, service man, student or grown child off on his own. It matters not, the letter is priceless and whether you share it with others or hold it close and ponder it in your heart, the emotion is universal.
The peace and upwelling of joy that enters the heart in moments of true prayer and meditation is ageless, giving you a ‘breathing spell’ when one can shed the vagaries of life as unimportant and the timeless, important things can fill your heart.
Children are still born (the pill notwithstanding) to be loved and guided to adulthood and their maturity is still met by parents with pride, sorrow, regret and bewilderment.
Pride to suddenly know that your child is capable of making his own decisions. Bewilderment because you suddenly realize that any advice and love they now give or ask of you will be because you have earned that respect and not a right for you to demand unasked. You feel sorrow and regret that though this is the goal you’ve worked so hard for, it’s a heartache to see it arrive.
Joy, pride, thankfulness, heartache, prayerfulness, these are the verities of life, the same yesterday, today and will be the same tomorrow. In a world where all else is changing by the minute, some things, thank heavens, will never change.