Season of Love

One of my favorite Broadway musicals is Rent. In a two-hour period this show captures people trying to survive. It pictures friends and acquaintances that are going through some really horrible times. The actors do a wonderful job portraying struggling artists, dreamers of a certain dream, and those who are dealing with the Aids virus. The music is haunting which prompts introspection. 

The year is filmed by a want to be film maker named Mark. Out of all the wonderful music, the one song that seems to stick with me is called “Seasons of Love.” This song begins chorus 525,600 minutes ... how do you measure, measure a year? In daylights? In sunsets? In midnights? In cups of coffee (my favorite)? In inches?  In miles? In laughter? In strife?

I am sure that all of us have had moments of joyous celebrations, sad times by saying good bye to a partner or a trusted friend. Also, the year past could have opened many possibilities or seen doors shut tight on others. Was it a year to cherish friendship and build relationships?

Ecclesiastes puts it simply, “there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven.  A time to be born and a time to die ... a time to plant and a time to reap ... a time to speak and a time to keep silent.”

Each season brings its own beauty and challenges; and before you know it, it quickly fades away. Some measure seasons or years in how much money is made, what position is obtained, and what type of car is driven or neighborhood where one lives. There is so much that a year brings and looking back, well, quite frankly, doesn’t look like much was accomplished, unless we measure it with the standard of love.

As the song continues, the last verse says: Remember love! You know that love is a gift from up above; Share love, give love, spread love; Measure, measure your life in love. Jonathan Larson, the author and composer of “Seasons of Love" could be onto something.  So, sit back and enjoy that extra cup of coffee with a friend, or stroll along the sandy shores, or maybe, doing silly stuff with the kids or grandchildren. 

When we get to this time next year, I hope that we will be able to look back and measure our year with pictures of precious moments surrounded by faith, family, and friends. Oh by the way, Mark, the frustrated film maker placed a 1960s style projector for the audience to see scenes of 525,600 minutes of his friends’ lives.