my season for quiet

At my cousin Darcy’s funeral on Sunday, I read from Ecclesiastes 3. Here’s the King James version of the passage:

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

Wise words.

This is my time to keep silent; to mourn, to give thanks, to reflect on the bewildering experiences of the last couple of months, and to prepare for the year ahead. I’m taking a vacation from blog writing until January 1st. I will be responding to email and snail mail. But slowly.

I need a season of quiet and healing.

Don’t worry, I’ll soon be speaking out again (at the top of my lungs occasionally), I promise. There will be some very cool website updates to talk about. I have to write FORGE and get to work on a new non-fiction picture book and begin the quest for a new YA idea. Baking season is upon us. Homemade jam must be consumed. By January I’ll have the details of my March book tour and I’ll have to get ready for a trip to Lima, Peru. Before we know it, it will be time for ALA again!

I’m off to hibernate in the Forest, friends. See you in 2009!

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14 Replies to “my season for quiet”

  1. May the remainder of your 2008 be filled with the quiet and healing that you are seeking. I also wish for you that this holiday season be filled with friends family and love. Peace to you and your family, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

  2. I am deeply sorry for your loss.
    Great passage from Ecclesiates, and happy hibernating.
    –Lettie

  3. A soft place to land…

    Laurie,
    I was sorry to hear about Darcy. May he be at peace. As the snow falls and finds a soft place to land, so may you also. Recharge, take stock, and heal. Enjoy the holidays with family and friends.. and then I’ll take you up on that offer for lunch! Best of peace, health and love to you and yours in 2009. The other Lori 🙂

  4. My deepest sympathy with your family’s loss. After the unexpected death of my father (three years ago this week), I felt hollow and sad. To bring myself out, I began to list memories: his funny sayings, his favorite jokes, the good times we shared. It helped me immensely, especially during the holiday season.

    “When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.” ~Kahlil Gibran

    Peace be with you.

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