Life's Carousels: A reflection on joy, risks, and change

NOTE: This article was co-written by Georgette I. Magnin and Rev. Kathy Chatterton

IOBT started its “satellite” pilot program in 2011 for Sangha members in Boise. We met at the First Congregational Church on Tuesday evenings at 7:30 pm and connected with many Treasure Valley Dharma friends at those in-person gatherings. Then the pandemic happened, and in 2020, we had to end our in-person meetings and moved to Zoom meetings.  The new format allowed us to connect with new Dharma friends from Seattle, Port Townsend, and Florida and stayed in contact with several of Boise folks .

At our December of 2024 we talked about a good cry, the benefits of tears, and songs that were meaningful to us. Our Dharma friend, Georgette, shared the following thoughts on songs and especially a song about the carousel of life that provides a starting point for us as we begin a new year (and another ride on the carousel):

Georgette writes: “This is another song that occasionally occupies my mind. I do love carousel rides. We have a lovely one at our city zoo, unfortunately you have to pay admission to the zoo first to gain access. Then you pay for your ride. I remember several carousels in San Franciso, one at Fleishhacker Zoo and the other in the children's area of Golden Gate Park. There is one in Tilden Park in the East Bay (and the live steam trains!). 


Carousel Horse on Brightly lit Merry Go Round

It was fun to choose a horse and ride. I'm guessing there was one among all the other rides on the roof of the downtown SF Emporium Department store at Christmastime. I do remember they had an old streetcar on static display. Perhaps one of the "iron monsters" that ran on Market Street. 

And Portland, Oregon, had a lovely old Looff carousel downtown. A friend encouraged me to ride. My first adult ride back in the 1980s. Haven't stopped since. “I may be wrong, my childhood memories of the children's area in Golden Gate Park include a big stone building with the carousel nearby, a sort of downhill sit-on kart ride, swings and other playground stuff. Maybe ponies?  Any of our readers have memories they'd like to share?  (If so, leave them in the comments!)

This song by Joni Mitchell just feels fun and maps out life's progression.

Yesterday a child came out to wander

Caught a dragonfly inside a jar

Fearful when the sky was full of thunder

And tearful at the falling of a star


(Chorus): And the seasons, they go round and round

And the painted ponies go up and down

We're captive on the carousel of time

We can't return, we can only look

Behind, from where we came

And go round and round and round, in the circle game


Then the child moved ten times round the seasons

Skated over ten clear frozen streams

Words like, "When you're older" must appease him

And promises of someday make his dreams

(Chorus)

16 springs and 16 summers gone now

Cartwheels turn to car wheels through the town

And they tell him, "Take your time, it won't be long now

'Til you drag your feet to slow the circles down"

(Chorus)

So the years spin by and now the boy is 20

Though his dreams have lost some grandeur coming true

There'll be new dreams, maybe better dreams and plenty

Before the last revolving year is through

(Chorus)

And go round and round and round, in the circle game

Source:  Musixmatch

Songwriter: Joni Mitchell

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I can appreciate the idea of the "carousel of time" and the many cycles of our lives. I’ve had many rides around the carousel, and I hope I’m destined for a few more. I can even picture reaching out and grabbing the golden ring as we move around the circle. It seems like a dangerous thing to try, but sometimes you just have to be brave and go for it! 

"We can’t go back. We can only glance behind to remember where we came from:" and to reflect on all the causes and conditions that made the carousel ride possible. 

We have so many “rides” to be grateful for.

Thank you, Georgette, for sharing the carousel!

Namo Amida Butsu

Rev: Kathy

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