The Cycle of Life: A Story of Questions and Legacy...

Dear Readers,

A very curious boy named J lived in a small town surrounded by dense forests and meandering streams. From a young age, J was known for asking questions that left adults scratching their heads. But there was one question he never stopped asking: “Why do things have to die?”

The first time J asked this question, he was sitting under the sprawling oak tree in his grandmother’s yard. She was knitting, her hands steady but aged. Her eyes twinkled as she looked up.

“Well, J,” she said softly, “death is part of the great circle of life. Without it, there wouldn’t be room for new life to grow.”

That answer satisfied him for a while. But as he grew older, J’s curiosity only deepened.

When his dog, Rambo, passed away, J spent hours sitting by his grave. He thought about the wagging tail, the endless games of fetch, and the warm companionship that had defined their bond. Losing Rambo was like losing a piece of himself.

“Why can’t Rambo live forever?” J whispered into the night.

His father, who sat beside him, put an arm around his shoulder. “If Rambo never left, how would we ever learn to cherish the time we had with him?”

Years passed, and J’s questions turned from emotional to scientific. He dove into books, devouring theories about aging, diseases, and the human body. He read about fruit flies living mere days and bristlecone pines outlasting empires. The sheer diversity of life fascinated him.

In high school, J decided to become a scientist. He dreamed of understanding why people aged and whether it was possible to slow or even stop the process. “If we could prevent death, wouldn’t that be better for everyone?” he often mused to his friends.

But his studies also raised new questions. What would Earth look like if no one ever died? How would humanity handle infinite life? Would people lose their purpose if they had all the time in the world?

One summer evening, J found himself back under the oak tree, now towering over him like a wise old friend. His grandmother was no longer there, having passed away the year before. He ran over the tree’s bark, feeling the grooves and knots.

He thought about the acorn she had planted decades ago and how this tree had become a refuge for countless birds, squirrels, and humans like him. The tree, too, would one day fall, its nutrients returning to the soil to feed new life.

At that moment, J realized something profound. The beauty of life wasn’t in its permanence but in its fleeting nature. Life's temporary nature made it precious like a breathtaking sunset, a haunting melody, or the first snow of winter.

When J became a scientist, he dedicated his career to not stopping death but improving the quality of life. He worked on curing diseases and helping people live their years with health and dignity. He became an advocate for appreciating the time we have, rather than yearning for eternity.

Decades later, as J sat under the same oak tree with his granddaughter, she looked up at him with wide, curious eyes.

“Grandpa, why do things have to die?” she asked.

J smiled, his heart full of the memories and lessons life had taught him. “So that everything can live, my dear. Every ending makes room for a new beginning. That’s the way of the world.”

His granddaughter leaned into him, satisfied with his answer for now. Together, they watched the sun dip below the horizon, painting the sky in colors as vibrant and temporary as life itself.

Reflection

Death is a difficult but essential truth of life. It reminds us to cherish the moments we have and the people we share them with. While the idea of immortality is tempting, it raises important questions about purpose, connection, and the balance of nature. Would life retain its beauty if it were infinite? Would we still value time if there were no limits to it?

Through J’s journey, we’re reminded that the cycle of life and death is not a flaw but a design that fosters renewal, growth, and legacy. Death is not just an ending but a bridge to new beginnings. It challenges us to live fully, love deeply, and leave the world better for those who come after us. Life’s brevity gives it value, and in that brevity lies its greatest gift: the chance to make every moment matter.

God Bless Us All…

Jacob M