It's Time That Matters

 

The Finite Infinite

 

I recently had a birthday. Yep. It’s me getting old(er). Not that that’s a big deal, but I do mind—kind of. Especially when I can’t move as easily as I once did, or all other manner of ills that accompany the passage of time. Growing up I used to think that people my age were “So old!” Well, nutrition, exercise, and positive thinking have kept much of the ravages of time at bay, but just.

Time.

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the passage of time. I find myself being introspective and asking questions such as: Have I accomplished what I’ve set out to do? Have I made a difference? Do I have time to complete what I’ve started? Have I been the kind of person others would be proud to know? Have I shown the kind of love and compassion that meant something to others? Have I made a positive impact on those close to me? If I have, will I be remembered in their hearts after I’m gone? Have I said, “I love you” often enough?

Does it matter? Hum?

I have family members I dearly love, and I wonder about this of them, too. I have friends who mean so much to me, and I wonder the same. I’d like to spend as much time with those I love and care about as much as possible. Because, despite my errant wishes to live forever, time is marching on—and there isn’t a lot of it left to us. I wrote an eclectic piece of poetry and prose about time titled “Seasons” and “Changing Seasons.” After all these years, these are the only pieces in this blog that address the passing of time. 

(For context, you can read them by clicking here and here.) 

Speaking of this blog, it was mid-August 2020 that I started writing on this platform. What a ride it’s been! It has grown in subscribers and readership, reaching many in countries as far away as India, Russia, Nederland, Germany, New Zealand, Singapore, Ukraine, Hong Kong, Ireland, Japan, Iran, and South Korea, to name a few. Reaching almost 30,000 views. Imagine that! And I thank you. The United States heads the count of readers, and it is, believe me, very humbling to know that many have found what I have to say interesting and, I hope, engaging. I pray they continue to find it so.

However, it doesn’t seem so long ago that I started my writing journey. The adage of time flying when you’re having fun is certainly true. So much has happened in the last five years that I can hardly name the numerous changes we all must have gone through.

Surely.

Speaking for myself, there are many personal experiences I’ve had. I’ve learned, and I hope grown, so much. Suffice it to say, I am grateful for every one of those experiences, no matter how difficult, trying, exhausting, or exhilarating they may have been. And, God willing, I hope to have many, many more.

What a gift!

I say that to drive home the point that life and the passing of time is something to embrace and accept. We, all of us, carry a finite amount of it. What we do with what remains counts so much more than any accomplishments we might attain. Sure, it’s nice to know we are doing something with the time we have left to us. But isn’t it nice to know that we were here? That we loved and were cared about in some small way by someone? That we dedicated our lives to a pursuit that enriched us; whether we succeeded or failed—we tried? I’d like to think so.

And that is all that matters.*

~DaMarie

*Dedicated to my sister, Diane Michelle Lawrence-Shaw. 

 Photo Courtesy of Parrish Freeman