Life is filled with milestone events that need to be celebrated.
There are birthdays, graduations, engagements and weddings that provide us with ample opportunities to celebrate one another. Last week we saw one of our grandsons graduate from high school - a milestone.
Josh is the youngest of our older quartet of grandchildren. As we cheered on his accomplishment and the start of college life, we also noted the younger four whose 12th grade diplomas we hope to see. That's when the numbers started whizzing through my brain. Ezra is our next to wear cap and gown, but that isn't for another seven years. His cousin, Livvy, will finish a year later, followed in another 12 months by sister Aviv.
That's nine years from now, and I will be gulp! How old? Oh my! I'm not sure how much partying I'll be able to do at that point.
Then there is our youngest grandchild, Levi, who is 17 years away from completing that part of his education. I'm not sure that this granddad will be around then, but I will try.
This time of year is also busy with a couple of birthdays for daughters. One is today and another follows a week later. We will send our birthday greetings long distance and wish for those two siblings a wonderful year ahead.
But another reason to celebrate comes next week when my wife and I reach the milestone of 53 years of marriage. I won't say that it was love at first sight for me (certainly NOT for her), but I was certainly infatuated with the young blonde from that first day back in 1970.
I was fresh out of Navy Boot Camp with a closely-cropped head thanks to the Naval base barber whose clippers had no guard. Skinny as a rail in those days, I introduced myself to her in an uncomplimentary manner, and only fate allowed a second chance at a first impression.
Months later we had a first date. Weeks afterward another and then another. And then we were engaged. I know what I saw in her - a smart, beautiful young woman who I could center my life around. As I think back to the 22-year-old me, I am still not sure what she saw in me that made her agree to this marriage. I'm just glad she saw something.
Over these five-plus decades, we have had many milestones. There have been the births of daughters and watching them grow. We have worked at our careers to make ourselves better and hopefully to help others. We have been part of a vibrant community. We worship each Sunday with people who have become a second family. And yes, we have seen children's weddings and the births of grandchildren and a great-grandchild. Milestones within our lives and much to celebrate.
But all of life's milestones are not ones that bring joy. There have been deaths of grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends and a brother. Final milestones. We have cried over disappointments and faced health crises under our own roof. We've seen that life is full of ups and downs and rarely moves along in an always-improving trajectory.
The low points in life help make us appreciate the highs, and the highs help us forget, at least temporarily, the low moments. Yin and yang.
This time of year, especially, there are numerous milestones that folks are reaching. Children are moving from one grade to the next. Young couples are getting married. Families are going on memorable vacations. People are taking on jobs and moving into new homes. Our country turns 250 years old. All are reasons to celebrate in this adventure called life.
My next milestone is Tuesday when I'll ask my wife again, "Now why did you agree to marry me?"