The cycle of life continues, always

We have a robin nesting in our rose arbor. She's quite content to be where she is, regardless of the fact the sprinklers come on overnight, and that I mow the lawn beneath where she is sitting, in the process of bringing her tads into the world. It's nice she feels safe and comfortable so close to all the ruckus that accompanies a household. But, her instincts drive her to perpetuate the species. that is what she must do.

Meanwhile, I just came in from putting on the barbecue, and in doing so, I noticed a little mass of golden movement on the sideboard of the barbecue -- minuscule pinpoints of life in their thousands. Baby spiders. Many baby spiders. Cute little baby spiders. Actually, I don't know if 'cute' applies, but I like to think that all creatures are cute in their infancy -- even spiders.

The cycle of life. Right now the cycle of life has a sad poignancy in this neighborhood. Prior to putting on the barbecue, I was talking to the grown daughter of our next-door neighbor. Our conversation consisted of my asking how her mother was doing. Her mother is dying, you see. And the two daughters are spelling each other off doing what is basically the "death watch." Her mother's life is at an end, and she is accepting that, and hoping it will be over soon -- for all concerned, and especially her mother. We are saddened because she is a sweet and pleasant lady only in her early 70s. But, cancer is a ruthless leveler, and she has been fighting it off and on for nearly 20 years, daughter said. She moved into the house not all that long ago. The house is a lovely one, with exquisite gardens, and it was the gardens that drew this widowed lady, shortly after the demise of her husband.

"It's really sad," said the daughter. "She was really looking forward to the garden and just the peacefulness of the neighborhood, and then it just went away, and there was nothing anybody could do about it."

And, as hard as it is to accept, that is the truth. Ultimately, there is nothing anybody can do about it. But, soon there will be baby robins, and every day young moms are pushing prams full of infants up and down the street, right past her home. At this moment a bunch of kids is playing Little League ball in the park across the street. The kids are full of life, piss and vinegar.

Never, since the beginning of time, has it ever been different, nor will it ever be. That's because it's meant to be the way it is, despite all our protestations.