Bitter Sweet

This time of year is always brings me back to my roots. It’s not so much the travel season with Thanksgiiving and Christmas, but the change in the season with falling leaves and crisp air. It often brings feelings of anticipation, but also realization that the season of growth and life is coming to an end.

Six years ago this past Friday, I was driving home to Oklahoma on a warm sunny day during my fall break from college. I was anticipating a time of relaxation filled with family and friends. Later that afternoon, I was riding home from the hospital where my mom had just been pronounced dead. Clouds were building up and began to block out the warmth of the sun. The air grew cold as the winds picked up. I felt alone.

I found myself on the road home again this weekend. This time for a new beginning.


To everything - turn, turn, turn
There is a season - turn, turn, turn
And a time for every purpose under heaven

A time to be born, a time to die
A time to plant, a time to reap
A time to kill, a time to heal
A time to laugh, a time to weep

To everything - turn, turn, turn
There is a season - turn, turn, turn
And a time for every purpose under heaven

A time to build up, a time to break down
A time to dance, a time to mourn
A time to cast away stones
A time to gather stones together

To everything - turn, turn, turn
There is a season - turn, turn, turn
And a time for every purpose under heaven

A time of war, a time of peace
A time of love, a time of hate
A time you may embrace
A time to refrain from embracing

To everything - turn, turn, turn
There is a season - turn, turn, turn
And a time for every purpose under heaven

A time to gain, a time to lose
A time to rend, a time to sew
A time to love, a time to hate
A time of peace, I swear it's not too late!

The Byrds
Turn! Turn! Turn! (to Everything There Is a Season) Lyrics