Life Is Like a Day

by John C. Westervelt

        The day begins with dark turning to light. A baby leaves the darkness of its mother’s womb for the light of day. First as a baby, then as a child, each day brings new beginnings. Boys discover girls. It works the other way too. Marriage follows completion of schooling. The cycle repeats itself.

        The children have children of their own. Mom and Dad, now in their fifties, are grandparents. It is as if the sun were at high noon and it is half over. The poet said, “The best is yet to be.” In many ways this is true. A man and his wife can take a trip just for enjoyment without worrying about whether the children are out too late.

        By mid-afternoon, there is an offsite wedding of that beautiful granddaughter. Though travel is not as easy as it once was, I must go to be sure the young man is good enough for this perfect girl.

        Daylight is almost spent when I move into Oklahoma Methodist Manor retirement home. My children and grandchildren are free to follow their careers, for the staff where I live takes care of me. My second floor apartment has a sliding glass door to a balcony facing west. I look over the tops of the trees covering midtown Tulsa.

As the sun sets, God paints the horizon in shades of orange. I stop and look, for I have the time. I remember those I have loved. I invite them, both deceased and living, to stand beside me and share God’s beauty. We all feel warm, not from the sun, but from our relationships. I want to touch each one, but I dare not for fear of not wanting to turn loose.

Finally, I stand alone. It is dark once more. Day is done.

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