Ascension : News From The Grotto - Thought For The Week
Submitted by The Islander (Shari Parkhill) 11.09.2008 (Article Archived on 25.09.2008)

This was supposed to be in the paper two weeks ago, but apparently the file couldn’t be opened.

This was supposed to be in the paper two weeks ago, but apparently the file couldn’t be opened.  I have never claimed to be a genius at computers!  So, in the interest of recycling, I’m running it this week.  My apologies that the congratulations contained within are late! 

Last Saturday was a busy day, even by Ascension standards.  I find that there is so much to fit into the two short days that constitute our weekend.  I seem to have so much to do with diving, hiking, Heritage and the social events that we all seem to love here on Ascension.  As I look back over the day, it makes me realize that it was a day of new beginnings.

First, along with other Heritage Society members and volunteers, we started our Fort Thornton restoration project.  Our intent is to clean up this part of Ascension history and restore it as an important part of our heritage, and one that can be better appreciated.  It is going to take a lot of effort and time on the part of the restoration crew, but we feel strongly that the site deserves it.  This is a new beginning in the history of an important island historical site.

Next it was off to a wedding.  Weddings are new beginnings for sure.  They mark the commitment that a couple makes to each other, to share their future and share their lives.  We wish Mark and Jolene happiness for the future, but as we all know, life is full of both the good times and the bad, and it is even more important to know that we have someone at our side when the bad times roll around.  The strength of the love that a couple shares will insure that they can walk through life together, and enjoy the good times, and still endure the bad.  Congratulations to the happy couple!

Then it was off to visit the newest little Ascension Islander, Louis Bassi.  A baby is the ultimate new beginning, a gift from God that is perhaps the greatest gift of all.  On the very day that my own “baby” turned twenty-six, I had the honour to snuggle with little Louis and have him fall asleep in my arms.  The memories that it brought back were precious.  As I look forward to the birth of my first grandchild, I am reminded that this life we enjoy is a circle.  Many years ago, it was my turn to have the special joys of my own newborn babies in my life.  Now, I celebrate with friends like Steve and Alison, and my children as they get to experience the absolute joy and fulfillment that a child can bring to their lives. 

These special occasions remind us that new beginnings occur and bring joy and happiness into our lives.  But new beginnings happen to us every day, in smaller, but still significant ways.  New beginnings can happen with nothing more than the dawn of the new day.  Every sunrise is a new beginning, a reminder from above of the miracle of our lives on this earth.  Each moment of time spent with friends, although a continuation of another gift from above, that of people in our lives who care for us, is still in a way a new beginning. 

I was blessed this summer while on leave to have a new beginning with someone.  For many years, there had been bitterness and ill-feeling, but it was laid to rest when this person finally took responsibility for past problems.  It was then up to me to forgive and let us both move on as friends again.  The forgiveness was there; in fact I realized that it had been for a long time, so now we can move beyond the past and have a new beginning.  Considering that this was something that I never thought would come about, it was truly a gift from God.

So this week, as we move through our own busy lives, let us always remember to recognize the new beginnings that we experience and give thanks for them.  We are truly blessed to have the gifts of new beginnings.