like sands through the hourglass

This week I had two different experiences and conversations that further reinforced the need to slow down in a lifetime that seems to be zipping by. 

I met up for dinner with an old friend from my hometown.  He was in Toronto this week on business.  When we saw each other, it seemed as if no time had passed and of course we had a lifetime of stories to share - one, in particular, really effected me. We were talking about his step mom growing up and I remember her well but I couldn't remember how long she was with his dad (now knowing their relationship was over many, many years ago).  It felt like it was a small blip in time, but he said they were together for 10 years.  I was shocked, more so because now as adult I can appreciate that 10 years is a significant amount of time to invest in anything.  And since that relationship, his dad has been with another amazing woman for probably another twenty years.  Proving that we can have so many lives within one, showcasing that life really can be so very long.

This morning, a similar situation occurred.  I was at the coffee shop at the end of my street. And there was a hat left sitting on a chair.  Gary (one of the employees) recognized it was the hat of a gentleman that comes in every morning.  He just left before I got there.  There were only a few of us in the coffee shop, so Gary proceeded to tell us a that this man was 90 years old and he said to us, "honestly, if I live to be 90, I want to live life the way he does - youthful and grateful".  Apparently he met the love of his life last year - she's 89.  They walk to and from the coffee shop every morning holding hands.  They're madly in love.  And there I was thinking, 55 years from now I could meet the love of my life!  So crazy, yet so inspiring. 

Almost daily, I find myself in awe of time. It might be the only thing left in this world that shocks me on a regular basis.  It's in the news when I'm reminded that 18 years ago was 1991; when I hear my best friend that I grew up with since the age of five tell me that her daughter is turning seven this month and when I watch my sweet old black lab move slower and tire faster. But, these two very different situations both reminded that from start to finish, the journey really is quite long. We all tend to want and need more things desperately and this generation and the ones following us want everything yesterday.  Yet, we never crave the enjoyment of the moment in time today.  If we rush time to reach a destination - will we ever feel the reward of the chase when we get there?  It's just landing in another moment in time and would you remember living in those moments that lead you there?

As suspected, in getting my tattoo on my wrist in May of this year - I knew many people would view it as a negative perspective on time.  So far, those that see it as a tragic statement far outweigh those that see it as a beautiful expression.  Does that say more about society than me?  Not sure.  Regardless, although these moments will pass, these are the days of our lives.  I prefer to live one at a time.