The moments, days and years go by quickly. - All too quickly it often seems. The Psalmist ^{(Ps 90)} prayed that God would help us to ' number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.'

Being retired from 'job' but not from vocation, I am keenly aware that life as I now experience it will not last forever. (Not that I can be threatened by thoughts of 'heaven.') My grandfather died of cerabral haemorrhage in 1939 when he was only 38; his grandfather died (I think of cold and pneumonia) in the mid eighteen-hundreds, at the ripe old age of 27. Yes - too soon. My Uncle died of stroke in the year that I'm approaching, my father in his mid-80's. But my mother's still going strong as she approaches her mid-90's.

We're never quite sure if there are lots or few years left to us on planet earth. And for those who are left to mourn, the passing of each one of us seems 'too soon.' Every day is a gift of grace - of new experiences, mixed with joys and sorrows, triumphs still and keen disappointments felt. Much vitality, yes - and limitations too.

Grandma Moses, that grand American lady, in her 70's started painting and became famous for her charming and colourful scenes of simple US life. She wrote in My Life's History - "I look back on my life like a good day's work. It was done and I am  satisfied with it. I was happy and contented: I knew nothing better and I made the best of what life offered. And life is what we make it. - Always has been, always will be."

'Yes' too that.