Don’t Cry Because It’s Over, Smile Because It Happened
If only summers could last forever. If only we could avoid the problems of life for a while longer. If only we could rest and play in a Garden-of-Eden-summer with loved ones and hear the soothing voice of God.... Someday!
Though I am far from the days of my youth when I longed for summer, summertime still fires remote and recent memories of freedom, play without distraction, of evening games like “kick the can” with screaming friends, still and peaceful early mornings with the promise of good things to come, the pleasure of the sun's warmth, the gentle rocking of waves, quiet walks and talks with God, and of comforting street lights shining in the dark that lit my way to the security of home.
But we all must return to everyday life, some to school and some to work and home chores. But always with summer memories in tow, which unfortunately dim with each passing day and accomplished task. We return to fall joys, along with hardships that sometimes seem exclusively ours. We may fret over tomorrow, but try to live in the here and now, as we did in the temperate and even dog days of summer, and in fleeting and pleasurable moments we capture images and emotions of the season now past.
I used to spend more time dwelling on the past, but now I find contentment in things like Dr. Seuss' wisdom—no longer sad that summer’s joys are over, but holding those days as gifts and a promise that one day I will enjoy the restored Garden of Eden and rest in the never-ending, summer-like sunlight that will emanate from God Himself (Rev 22:5).
If you have been impacted by Frank and would like to share this with his family, please email drmattm.ccccrd@gmail.com and we will confidentially pass your message along. Love you, Frank. We at CCCRD will try to nurture your legacy in your absence. Until we meet again…