I had the opportunity to witness and experience the full circle of life right before my very own eyes. Last night, on the occasion of my 60th birthday, I experienced the full 360 degrees of life’s stages.

Arnold had planned a wonderful party in my honour. Twenty-five of our closest family and friends convened in our home to fete my transition to “senior-dom.” Even my nephew Nicholas, who is a graduate student of architecture at Yale University, made a surprise entrance after traveling since 5:30 A.M. to attend the event. What a wonderful gift his presence was.

Unfortunately, unbeknownst to our guests, a shadow of sorrow hung over this occasion. Approximately 15 minutes before the first of our guests arrived, we received a phone call informing us that our beloved Aunty had passed away. This news was not unexpected as she had been clinging to life for the past several days. The family was planning to drive down to Seneca Falls this weekend to stay with Aunty in her final moments. Sadly, she was called before that could be done. Other than the immediate family, none of our other guests were informed of Aunty’s death, so the party proceeded as the freylakh occasion it was planned to be.

One of our guests was the 3 month old son, Anthony, of our very dear friends Sheila and Stefano. This was the very first opportunity Arnold and I had to meet the new little boychik, and it brought us great joy to welcome him into our lives. Suddenly, it occurred to me, I was experiencing the beautiful circle of life.

Here, we had the three stages of life under one roof. Aunty’s passing is the ultimate end we all face, while my 60th birthday is the continuing progress of an existing life, and little Anthony, expresses the great joy of a brand new life with all its hopes, mysteries, and wonder.

This moment had a powerful impact on me, and tears began to well up in my eyes. But through those tears, for the first time, I clearly saw the magnificent, and never-ending circle, and eternal hope our lives represent.

I wish our beloved Aunty the peace and rest she so well deserves after providing such a wonderful and guiding inspiration to her family and friends. I thank her for the graciousness and generosity she expressed during her lifetime, which ended just 1 week short of her 106th birthday. I wish little Anthony a brilliant, bright, healthy and wondrous future that he can revel in, conquer in his own way, and live to his greatest potential. And to myself, I pray for the increased wisdom I hopefully gain with each of my advancing years, and I thank God for my Arnold, who continues to make my life the fabulous, loving and rewarding adventure it brings to me every day.

Much love to all of you,
Michael