<html><head><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body dir="auto"><div><span></span></div><div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Times; color: rgb(35, 35, 35); font-size: 18px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Helvetica" size="3">The Way It Is</font></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Times; min-height: 19px; color: rgb(35, 35, 35); font-size: 18px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Helvetica" size="3"><br></font></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Times; color: rgb(35, 35, 35); font-size: 18px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Helvetica" size="3">There is a thread you follow. It goes among</font></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Times; color: rgb(35, 35, 35); font-size: 18px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Helvetica" size="3">things that change. But it doesn't change.</font></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Times; color: rgb(35, 35, 35); font-size: 18px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Helvetica" size="3">People wonder about what things you are pursuing.</font></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Times; color: rgb(35, 35, 35); font-size: 18px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Helvetica" size="3">You have to explain about the thread.</font></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Times; color: rgb(35, 35, 35); font-size: 18px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Helvetica" size="3">But it is hard for others to see.</font></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Times; color: rgb(35, 35, 35); font-size: 18px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Helvetica" size="3">While you hold it you can't get lost.</font></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Times; color: rgb(35, 35, 35); font-size: 18px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Helvetica" size="3">Tragedies happen; people get hurt</font></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Times; color: rgb(35, 35, 35); font-size: 18px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Helvetica" size="3">or die; and you suffer and get old.</font></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Times; color: rgb(35, 35, 35); font-size: 18px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Helvetica" size="3">Nothing you do can stop time's unfolding.</font></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Times; color: rgb(35, 35, 35); font-size: 18px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Helvetica" size="3">But you don't ever let go of the thread.</font></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Times; min-height: 19px; color: rgb(35, 35, 35); font-size: 18px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Helvetica" size="3"><br></font></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Times; color: rgb(35, 35, 35); font-size: 18px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Helvetica" size="3"> - William Stafford</font></div></div></body></html>