A Story About Life’s Journey
Do you remember the movie or play Fiddler on the Roof? If you do, perhaps you fondly remember the song Sunrise, Sunset. Do you remember the villagers walking along singing, the screen filled with candles? The song is sung By the parents (Tevye and Golda) as the family and village are gathering for their oldest daughter Tzeitel’s wedding. They are remembering how quickly their beloved daughter and her fiance have grown up.
Don’t you have times in your life, you know, watershed moments, mountaintop moments where time seems to stand still? And in that “time stands still” moment you see a lifetime in slow motion? Those moments can be just achingly beautiful.
This article will post as I am flying back to Ohio for my nephew Adam’s wedding. He and Amber have known each other for a long time now. She has been part of the family for a long time. Their wedding will make all of that official of course. It seems like just a few years ago that Adam was a little boy, playing in my yard or at the pool with my son. Back then, Adam’s love for adventure and gummy bears knew no bounds. Back then and now, Adam knew how to get exactly what he wanted. His bride-to-be is steady, lovely, and truly believes in him. They will have a lifetime to grow together as they face all that life has in store for them.
As Adam and Amber exchange their vows in a couple of days I will be there to see it unfold. What an adventure marriage can be for them. They promise to stay together in sickness and in health, for richer, for poorer, in good times and in bad. It is a huge promise. My prayers will join with those of the rest of their loved ones. May their lives be blessed and may the grace of steadfastness be a constant in their lives.
Lyrics from Sunrise Sunset
Tevye: “Is this the little girl I carried? Is this the little boy at play
Golda “I don’t remember growing older, when did they?”
Tevye: “When did she get to be a beauty, when did he grow to be so tall
Golda: “Wasn’t it yesterday when they were small”?
Men: “Sunrise, sunset; sunrise, sunset. Swiftly flow the days. Seedlings turn overnight to sunflowers. Blossoming even as we gaze.”
Women: “Sunrise, sunset; Sunrise, sunset. Swiftly fly the years. One season following another. Laden with happiness and tears
Tevye: “What words of wisdom can I give them? How can I help to ease their way
Golda: “Now they must learn from one another. Day by day
Perchik: “They look so natural together
Hodel: “Just like two newleyweds should be
Perchik & Hodel: “Is there a canopy in store for me?”
All: “Sunrise, sunset; sunrise, sunset. Swiftly fly the years. One season following another; Laden with happiness and tears.
Photo of Field of Sunflowers (taken in Wyoming by Stacey Cannon)
Believe Anyway 
Funny. I had a moment like that, and durng a wedding, too.
When my youngest married last month, my eldest was the usher who escorted me down the aisle. Talk about time standing still for just a split second! Cannot even write about it, now, without tiny tears.
Oh gosh I know exactly the emotion /feeling you ate talking about. Just like that God has scooped you up and put you on a fresh mountain with a spectacular view
😉
Truly time flies! There are moments when things seem so slow and yet, moments when everything is swift!
It is good that the young has grown. The best and wisest words are a reassurance of love and confidence! The greatest gift is freedom. As long as you have equipped children well, they will stand well as adults. That will have to apply now that the girls have become women, and the boys are men! 🙂
you are so right, my friend. the time flies and it nearly stands still. sometimes all at the same time. we cast our bread upon the waters—and love returns to us. we have tried our best to prepare them and equip them well. the rest is up to them and God!
Wow, I haven’t seen this one. How in the world have I not seen it?
oh my gosh you have GOT to see it. It is wonderful!
I looked into the mirror one day and saw my mother looking back. That was when I realized I was getting old. Our mother only lived to be 68, but she made a whole world of memories for us in those years. Thankfully I lived close by after I was married and my children grew up with the influence grandmother and granddad’s love. It helped to shape their lives.
Isn’t it odd? I remember saying to my parents when my son was a child “i open my mouth and you come out. the transformation is complete and i am so grateful”. the years go by so much faster than i ever anticipated…..you know that in a way i never can. have a good day, my dear.
Yes, time speeds along. “Sunrise, Sunset” was sung at my wedding — wasn’t that just a few years ago? No, 35 years ago. And now I’m witnessing my own children marry. Seems so impossible.
i know what you mean. who would have thought that so many years could fly by so quickly. it seems like a few years—but our kids are grown now…..seedlings to sunflowers….just like that! I want a re-run of all the best parts!
I forgot to add: Congratulations and blessings to your nephew and his bride! ♥
oh thanks! the wedding was lovely.