Four Generations gather around the fire.

A young girl waiting for life to begin,

her mother caught in the middle of busy days,

Grandma discovering what their chapter might bring,

and Great-Grandma with a blanket

wrapped around her shoulders watching it all.

One fire.

Four Lives.

So many years between them.

I watch the flames move around the wood

and wonder where all that time goes.

Children grow up.

Families change.

Days become years before we are ready.

Dreams get tacked away with a promise,

I’ll get to you later…

There will be another night.

Another sunset.

Another afternoon with someone I love.

Another chance to go somewhere

I have always wanted to see.

I hope there is.

I have said “later”

more times than I can count.

The fire burns lower

as laughter carries across the night.

I look at the faces sitting around me,

the stars overhead,

and the embers glowing in the fire.

Tomorrow will come soon enough.

Tonight,

I pull my chair a little closer.

If you missed this week’s reflections, you may also enjoy: “What Happens When Life Settles Back In” and “I Keep Thinking There Is Still Enough Time.“

Thank you for spending a few minutes with me today.