Help!

Listening to the Old Beatles tune this morning, "Help."

"When I was younger, so much younger than today 

I never needed anybody's help in any way

But now these days are gone, I'm not so self-assured

Now I find, I've changed my mind, I've opened up the doors.

And now my life has changed in, oh, so many ways

My independence seems to vanish in the haze

But every now and then I feel so insecure 

I know that I just need you like I've never done before.

Help me if you can, I'm feeling down 

And I do appreciate you being 'round

Help me get my feet back on the ground

Won't you, please, please help me?" 

As I was taken back to another (younger) time in my life, it occurred to me that the (young) Beatles had uncanny insight in writing about what happens to us as we move through the final third of our lives; a time filled with loss and tradeoffs.

While we can't "do it all" anymore (not that we ever could), the tenderness we experience as our spouses, kids, and friends "stand in the gaps" is profound.  We discover the rich, mysterious, blessing of interdependence.

Help is good. Life is "grand."

It's Enough.

Today's predicted high: 49.  "It's begining to feel alot like...WINTER." 

But that's just fine. Lawns are done for the season, the air is crisp and filled with the fragrance of fresh coffee; as the season changes and our pace slows down, a new perspective emerges. 

We glance back--and give Thanks.  We look up--and are humbled by "the Word made flesh."  We anticipate 2014--and feel energized by the prospect of a fresh start.

But life happens TODAY.  Today is where we live; that's all we have, that's all we need. 

It's enough.