From Classroom Besties to Silvery Pals - The Circle of Life

Moving through the eternal clock of life with heads held high, facing the sun, or running at full pace as there's so much to do, yet so little time. Other times we walk with our heads drooping, and feet dragging, as life throws those awful curveballs our way.

Life is a rollercoaster of surprises, with thrilling highs, exciting twists and turns, but also filled with painful plunges where we find ourselves nosediving, and falling very hard!

Ain't it strange how a loss sometimes brings back something we lost along the way? I find that just downright confusing!

Busyness, while going about our daily business, is natural, but how sad that it often takes a loss to rekindle old friendships!

I love how our little circle is reflected in the pond;)

Yes, I know, too many exclamation marks, but I am shouting out, as the clock of life keeps on turning, while precious time is running out!

All our senior silvers will remember the old song by The Byrds - Turn, Turn, Turn about the seasons of life, with lyrics based on a profound biblical verse.

The lyrics written by Pete Seeger, resonate more so now, as I face a new season in my life.

To everything (turn, turn, turn)
There is a season (turn, turn, turn)
And a time to 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....

Lyrics by Pete Seeger

People come and go, touching our lives with their own uniqueness, and we never stop learning life lessons from each other, which ultimately shapes our destiny, not so.

Had I chosen a different career path, I would never have met my darling soulmate, nor had the two beautiful sons I now have, both reminding me of their Dad, even though their characters are poles apart! Really, really strange, but so wonderful, there is no mistaking that it was written in the stars!

What was I talking about in the beginning, about something I lost along the path of life?

Old friendships of course, while not truly lost, often seem to fade away, courtesy of the hustle and bustle of life, but that's just a natural part of the ebb and flow of life, not so! another exclamation mark lizelle, stop it now!

A big sigh...time waits for no one, but it's never too late.

Rekindling old friendships is something I've been doing since the loss of the love of my life. It's been so heartwarming seeing those old friends again, almost like my darling man rounded up the troops to comfort me during this very dark season of my life, and I'm starting to build wonderful new memories.

Yes, life is strange indeed with its twists and turns; I think I have said that already, but it really is worth repeating!

Meeting up with my bestie from school days this past week at the beautiful old Botanic Gardens, was a balm to the soul indeed. We strolled, stopped, and talked, non-stop, as there was way too much catching up to do!

Walking underneath the canopy of giant old trees, into the sunshine at the lake, being entranced by the natural wonder around us, and simply enjoying being together again under the warm African sun.

There will be new adventures, I know, starting with the long-awaited journey to our son. Bittersweet yes, as I still find it difficult to come to terms that there now is only me, not us or we in the here and now, but, I still see myself as part of a we!

The words engraved into stone behind the foot of the two pillars carrying the old bell, remind me that I have to pick up my head; live, love, and toil with a will, while the clock is still turning, as...