The Circle of Life

When I woke up on Sunday morning my Mum told me that my step-Dad had just found out his father had died a few hours ago. It was totally expected and not a shock, but still incredibly sad for my step-dad and his Mother nonetheless.

A couple of hours later we gathered with our extended family at Mum's church for the baptism of Zee.

Zee after her baptism

Last night, as we were leaving Mum's after a full day of baptism celebration, my Mum received a text letting her know that a couple from church had just had their first baby less than 2 hours ago.

The Circle of Life.

Never has it been more starkly illustrated to me than yesterday. In fact the circle of life has been very clearly shown to me since October last year.

At the same time as I fell pregnant with Zee, my Aunty J was diagnosed with terminal cancer.

While visiting Aunty J for the last time Uncle S told us he'd been given 6 months to live. 6 months was being generous. As I sat there with the dying I could feel my unborn baby kicking away inside me.

Aunty J passed away in April. On the day of my cousin's wedding.

My uncle S's first grandchild was born the day before my birthday in June. She had her blessing day on Father's Day. It was my cousin M's first Father's Day as a father, and Uncle S's last.
Uncle S passed away the morning of my Uncle I's 60th birthday party.

Uncle S's last Father's Day

The promise of new life came with the promise of death.

The celebration of a new marriage came with the untimely end of another marriage through death.

The joy of a first Father's Day for one man, tempered by the sadness of a last Father's Day for another.

The ending of one life coinciding with the celebration of the continued life of another.

One person received the promise of baptism on the day that another went on to realise that promise in heaven.

And a new life was born in to the world.

So thankful Uncle S got to meet Zee before he died

I feel like the last 18 months has really made me wake up and pay attention to life. Being a new mum, with the struggles that brings, made it so easy to wish away the days to a time when life might be easier.

There have been times when I've been so angry at the unfairness of life and the cruel taking away of the people I love. But I've been blessed with the creation and arrival of a new life. And while that new life doesn't automatically take away the grief of losing people, it does help to soften it and make it more bearable.

While we had originally planned to have Zee a little later than we did, I think she came along at just the right time, exactly when she was meant to. She was a blessing sent to remind us of the circle of life, to help ease some of the grief we've been sent this year. While we lost two beloved members of our family, we gained two more who will, God willing, bring many more years of joy to all our lives.

I couldn't title a post The Circle of Life without at least one reference to The Lion King now could I, no matter how serious the post. Coincidentally, we actually watched this movie on Saturday afternoon at Mum's with Punky

When people die, especially those we love and are close to, it's easy to forget in our grief that life goes on. That the death of one person is offset by the birth of another, and it's true of everything in life.

I've had a lot of powerful reminders lately of the circle of life and I'm trying to grasp the lessons it's teaching me.

The biggest one being to embrace my life and give it everything I've got. To not wish it away. To make the most of every day I've got. To find new ways each day to laugh and love fiercely.

What has the circle of life been trying to teach you lately?

Linking up each Tuesday with Essentially Jess for IBOT