Egads! Another Month!!

My parents told me time would accelerate when I got older. They were spot on with that remark.

As a kid time seemed to stand still. Not knowing the workings of events or their preparations, we had no gauge for the passage of time; just waiting. Biding time was what we did then.

Later, we could see time pass as it was broken into smaller pieces. Mom making breakfast; first the main ingredients of the meal were assembled, preparations for cooking them together began, then the cooking. While that was in play the table was set, dad juiced the oranges, milk was poured and soon the food was on the table. Anticipation of sounds and aromas paid off and breakfast happened!

Filling time with activities and chores was another yardstick of time passing. Once in school, we learned about deadlines and due dates. The paper was due when? Would that be enough time for me to get it done? Or, yikes! The final exam is next week. Can I study enough to pass it at this late date?

And then jobs and careers where expectations of achievements ruled our days. Getting to the achievement part was not easy. It took time: time to study the problem; time to gather possible solutions; time to weigh options; time to choose; time to implement solutions; time to see if the desired result would arrive; on time!

As I write this blog I am stunned by the passage of time. Today is July 1, the beginning of yet another new month. I just wrote the blog for June 1, or so it seemed. A week ago I turned 78. I remember when I turned 8, then 18, 28, and so on. Where has all this time gone? Has it been used wisely? Were achievements worthy of the time invested?

I also recall being 22 and claiming – “Now it is my turn to do something to save the world.” Heady thought, but we had courage and confidence then. Don't we all? Nearly sixty years later we fully understand how the claim was a pipe dream. The question is not did we save the world, but did we accomplish anything?

Of course we did. For one we populated the nation and world with another generation of people to continue the human race. For another, we raised those kids to know themselves and their surroundings, and yes, the world itself. This was preparation for them to ‘save the world’ for the rest of us. I’m certain they felt that way; as adults I doubt they still feel that way. The job to be done is too large for them to tackle, at least alone.

And that is a valuable lesson – too large to tackle alone. Cooperation and collaboration must be enabled if we as the human race are to succeed, survive, prevail. Another lesson: change is a constant; what you are working on today will be replaced by something else tomorrow. The job is never done. It is always beckoning and demanding attention.

Oh yes; we older generations learned those two lessons well. It is part of making us humble so we can admit our own frailty. For younger generations, please learn these two lessons well: there is always another new month starting; and, one day you will not be there to witness it. But others will.

Hopefully, they will work with what you left behind so all may champion the needed tasks.

July 1, 2021