Do you remember the song “Sunrise, Sunset” from Fiddler on the Roof? The hauntingly beautiful song was sung during the wedding of the oldest daughter as the parents think about how quickly time passes in the years with their children.

“Sunrise, sunset, sunrise, sunset,

Swiftly fly the years.

One season following another,

Laiden with happiness and tears.” (Bock/Havnick)

Life is like that: happiness mingled with tears; good times and bad times; joy and sorrow. And the years go by too fast, at least when we look back at them.

In time and in life, the seasons follow each other. Spring, summer, fall, winter. Childhood, young adulthood, middle age, old age.

November is here already. I’ve been waiting for this month all year, yet it seems like January happened a few days ago, not ten months ago.  Have I used time wisely? Or have I wasted it?

For my family while I was growing up, November meant two things: my mother’s birthday, and a family reunion for our Thanksgiving. We changed our reunion to summer because late November often meant SNOWSTORM! Then my husband’s family took over Thanksgiving for a family get together.

November now has two important dates for us.

My mother will celebrate 104 years on this earth later this month. She recently spent seven weeks in rehab after a fall the fractured her hip. She’s home now. When I think of all the seasons she has passed through, all the sunrises and sunsets, all the happiness and tears, it’s mind boggling! She lived through most of the 20th century and is now well into the 21st century. I’d love for her to write a memoir if she could.

The other date is November 15, my grandson’s birthday. Rylen is in Heaven now. He didn’t pass through quite so many seasons as his great-grandmother has, but he made his own mark.

Thanksgiving will soon be here, then Christmas. One season follows another. I have so much for which to be grateful. This year has brought changes for us, some good, some bad. The first Thanksgiving came about because the Pilgrims recognized God’s blessings in spite of their many sorrows and losses.

I’m thankful that I’ve been given the privilege of having a book published. This is a third important date in November. It has been a long journey, of many years and seasons. On November 20, 2018, MEADOW SONG will be releasedIt will be up for preorder soon.

Join Kate and Jack as they experience seasons of happiness and tears. What season are you experiencing now?