Perhaps it is a sign of the accumulating years but now more than ever I am acutely aware of the passage of time.
Even at this precise moment, as I enjoy the luxury of residing in my friends apartment for a few weeks I hear the clock ticking towards the return to my own space. Isn’t it funny how the moment you arrive it feels like you have an eternity…then the clock starts ticking.
It reminds me of school holidays – yes I have a very good memory. Can you remember that morning you went to school knowing that it was going to be a short day and then you would be on holiday! The long summer holidays were the best. As they began you felt that you had endless time ahead of you but before you knew it the weeks disappeared and you were on the eve of your return.
Perhaps my memories of school days differ from yours. I was not fond of school at all. I was indeed a misfit who had few friends and never really found my place. Perhaps in hindsight the biggest obstacle to my forming any kind of bond with my peers was the fact that, although born a girl, every thought in my head and instinct was that of a boy. This is something I would have to wait decades to correct.
However, I stray from the point (unsurprisingly). Time, it is something we feel is totally endless when we are in our teens, twenties…even thirties or forties. We don’t anticipate anything interrupting our stay on earth in the foreseeable future. When we get to our fifties and sixties though we may start to ruminate on our mortality. I cannot speak of further decades as I am ‘only’ in my sixties…. ONLY now there is an inappropriate word if ever there was one. Even in my very early sixties, having just turned 62, I am aware of that ticking clock.
But wait, let us not get morbid here. Let us also consider other elements of time. For example, I have in recent years become an avid book collector. Many I read on Kindle for convenience, but many others I purchase for my collection. I usually prefer hardback editions when it comes to stacking my creatively constructed shelves. I won’t go into details but I redesigned an entertainment center to form a library.
Anyway, I have accumulated quite a lot of books in the last two years and I often wonder how on earth I am going to find the time to read them all!
Time can indeed be a daunting thing. There are people in my life today who I know for certain I will not be around to see reach my age. I will not be able to see what becomes of them and how they make their way in life. There is a sadness there, but there cannot be a resentment of missing out on those things as it is the inevitable destiny of being a passenger through life.
Perhaps if there is another realm I will be able to follow their endeavors. But wait…my days are not over yet and neither are yours!
We need to be aware of the precious nature of time. We need to treat our vehicles (bodies) with respect so that they may take us further (and healthier) into the future. If solicited, we have wisdom we may pass down to others. Never dismiss a person older than you are for they have lived, they have learned and they carry wisdom that should be listened to and respected.
The young will make their mistakes, as we did, and for some that is the only way they will learn. It is hard to watch but meddling without solicitation leads to more turmoil than you need to deal with. How many of you have experienced that? How many of you have thoughts on the passage of time – even in its most simplistic form?
One thing I will leave you with…right now, this very moment, you are the oldest you have ever been and the youngest you will ever be. So celebrate it, celebrate the moment, celebrate NOW.
Love your last line!!! And appreciate your insights. Yes! The older I get I see our fragile our physical life on Earth is and I am thinking more and more about my Eternal Life. I guess trying to prepare myself for what comes next, my Encounter with my Creator!!!
Amy turns 50 today and we were talking about that exact passage of time. The first day of school and the last day of school and summer recess. Time wqs different back then seemed endless and the desire to be grown up shadowed any thoughts of our own mortality growing closer. I am racing the clock everyday to seize fhe moment bc in the end that is all we have when we lay down to sleep..... the memories we make. I always feel like i am running out of time.