Down here in Iowa, my friends and I take a walk after supper. We find ourselves heading towards the river and discover a beautiful metal walkway through a tall grass prairie dotted with flowers. When we draw nearer, we hear them–cicadas. Night has fallen and they have happily begun their choir song.
We walk along enjoying the view and I revel in the “music”, occasionally searching for Pokeman. My friend tells me that cicadas live mostly underground for their lives and emerge for a brief time. I cannot help but think that they live to create music; to bring beauty to the world is their main goal. The brevity of their lives is not lessened by the gorgeous vocation they have given. Perhaps we are all called to do this with our lives but somehow we lose the way?
We return to the hotel. Our friend is chatting with her cousin. Just before we bid one another good night, the cousin tells us a story of how a pastor once said at a funeral of someone else that we were not gathering to mourn a death but to celebrate a life. That is what we will do later today – celebrate a life well lived, a song well sung, a beauty well shared.
Peace,
Suzanne
Reflection Questions
What beautiful song are you singing?
Does length of days matter as much as how we use the days given?
Prayer
Creator, help me use the life I’ve been given to sing a beautiful song for the world to hear, no matter how many days I am given. Amen.
God in all things 
When walking I sometimes hear the loud sound of crickets in my neighbourhood. Sometimes the sound is so loud on the Bishop Grandin trails that the sound of traffic is completely overtaken. I have to smile when I hear their loud and boisterous “chirping”. I haven’t heard of “cicadas” but I’m guessing they are similar to crickets and grasshoppers.
Such beautiful posts on the subject of living and dying, funerals and celebrating life.
I think it’s often a challenge and a true and difficult test of faith to celebrate life at a time of mourning. But I do think it’s a challenge that is good to aspire to. It’s something that is worth a lot of thought. Thanks for your reflections on this important topic!
Cicadas are interesting. I’ve heard them up north but I first became aware of them in the USA. Thanks for your kind words. Hugs.