In Appreciation of The Circle of Life

The television was brilliant with color as the lengthy track from the "Lion King"

played over and over. All four of my children from preschool to middle school were captivated. Being impressionable and receptive, once the film was over they staged their own dramatizations. They were making key life essentials their own, such as understanding change, valuing family, perseverance and the lead theme—The Circle of Life.

I was taking it in as well.

It is often said, that a child will lead you. Well, the children certainly were! When I was in my twenties, I was so busy becoming that the obvious was often not pondered. I knew there were certain roles in life, but I hadn’t fully realized the significance. Now that I am older, these many roles have become my life. Much pleasure is gained from counting them and relishing in special moments which could be likened to the lovely charms gathered on a shiny bracelet. There are several - daughter, grandchild, sister, niece, cousin, aunt, wife, mother, mother-in-law. Soon to come will be a special addition to my family and I will be embracing a whole new title. For as a little one in arms is cuddled, I will have stepped into the realm as grandmother.

Amazing and awesome.

As I consider this new role, visions of my Grandma flow through my mind. She had lived in house next door where my father had grown up with all his siblings. The area had been farmland, although it was no longer. But she kept her property like the old days. Covered with thick, seeding grass was an outside water pump, a rabbit hutch and a dilapidated outhouse complete with spiders.

Grandma was a slight woman who dressed in trousers and long sleeved shirts even when it was blazing hot. Her days were spent picking berries and preserving cherry jelly, making pierogies, and reading the Polish newspaper. She often would be seen smoking cigarettes upstairs in the widows’ roost. She always made time for me— we loved to chat and watch her favorite “Lucy” shows. After school, I would sneak over to visit and wouldn’t head home even when the cuckoo clock chirped way past dinner. I didn’t want to leave ... because Grandma was my good friend and confidant.

My eyes misted as she came alive in my memory. She had given me so much. As I anticipate this new role, there is a deep desire to embrace my Grandmother’s goodness.

I desire to be very present to this first grandchild and others to come … lavishing them with kindness and sensibilities that formed me throughout the years. This will be a privilege and a joy.

And, hopefully, as this Circle of Life plays forward, I will be able to experience not only my children’s children, but perhaps their children as well.

…and that’s how I live it.