Tonight I was swept up in a few memories and a few too many emotions with the news of the passing of a dearly loved man and my trusted advisor in college. Harding University’s colors are black and gold, and when I saw a friend had posted this image of blackened skies over a field of gold, well…
Really, I can’t begin to count the moments where a scene such as this stilled me, inviting me to stare and absorb, to breathe and to escape, and to wonder. My past may not have a hold on me, but it sure has a powerful pull. And when I’m blindsided with the sudden gust front and darkened skies of disquieting news such as this, I freeze a bit, stilled by the moment and dissettled by what it is: the contrast between then and now.
Without a storm or distant thunder, perhaps with slights of rain and bursts of wind the moment imposes for a while before relenting and moving on, eventually dissipating past my view. Too often it’s someone else’s storm, really, but I can’t help but to be in the path of where it must go …and feel what it brings.
So it is with news such as this, how we resign ourselves to what must come our way, what we cannot change, and all the feelings that it stirs. And all I can do is stare in reflection, absorb the reality, breathe shallow sighs of loss, and surrender to the pull of the past.
And wonder for a while. And perhaps, let myself wonder for a while again.
For all that’s said of “silver and gold” and of “black and white,” there is contrast and connection in my alma mater’s colors. That these two complement each other is perfect and salient, to me anyway,..
Black and gold…
Depth and brilliance.
Quiet and energy.
Reserve and ambition.
Power and wisdom.
Humility and esteem.
Dark days and bright Nights.
bad news and Gospel.
grief and Hope.
resolve and Reward.
midnight and Sunrise.
…black and Gold.
Tomorrow, I expect to wake up with a few fleeting dream remnants and a few too many concerns with the agenda the day holds for me.
But in the wake of a good man’s life and passing and a spell of introspection this evening, I hope to stare at the morning skies and absorb their promise, breathe a cleansing breath or two, and escape into the day God has prepared, leaving this day behind right where it belongs…
…And wonder for a while longer.
All content, including text, images, and other elements Copyright © 2018 Joel Cranford
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