The Old Gray Mare
As the song goes, she ain’t what she used to be. And some wags say, “And never was!”
However, knowing time is of the essence, we try to make the time count. What’s the old saying? “I must govern the clock, not be governed by it.” (I think that was some wisdom from Golda Meir.)
Time is an exacting taskmaster, and as we age, we realize how quickly it goes. I know. The first 17 years or so of our marriage, Lonny’s Uncle Gus spent time with us, traveling to Florida in the winters. But in my youth, when he said, “Boy, time just flies!” I looked at him in amazement. While I was never rude enough to say it, I thought, “How can you say that? You sit and listen to ball games on the radio, play cowboys with the kids (from his rocking chair they rounded up multitudes of horses and managed the ranch with great alacrity.), read the newspaper, and nap. I’d think time would creep by.”`
But it’s a funny little twist how time changes. Mostly it changes people. But it also changes in and of itself. I used to wash all the windows, wash and iron the curtains, and still find time to deliver and pick up the kids, prepare supper, and play games at the kitchen table that night. It recently occurred to me I may not be able to do that now, but I sat down and made a little list to let me feel useful, if not nearly as productive as in days of yore.
For instance, I can wash one window, or perhaps two, and then have all my windows washed within 2-3 weeks. I can clean out one cabinet or set of drawers, and eventually they will all be finished and be neater than they were. I can dust in one or two rooms, and still have time to do laundry or water my flower beds. No, I’m not Speedy Gonzalez anymore, but I am quite capable of being a useful, productive member of society, at my own pace.
When do we decide it is time to reformulate our thinking and learn new patterns of work and enjoying life? Probably not soon enough, but if you just learn to go with the flow and not fight it all the time, life can be productive and enjoyable. For instance, since my oldest sister has moved in with us, I think I have laughed and joked more than I had in the past five years.
The day I realized this, I understood I was going through a seismic cerebral change, and that it was OK. I would waste time, energy, and peace trying to go against that flow.
Photo by Robin Jonathan Deutsch on Unsplash
Where are you now? Younger people who read my blog probably have the same look of askance on their faces that I had on mine 40 years ago with Uncle Gus. I’ve settled into the comfort of realizing that the adage, “Seize the day!” doesn’t have to mean get everything done that you can so you can get on to the next task. To seize the day, I sometimes take the time to watch hummingbirds buzzing around the feeders and flowers with my big sis on the front porch. Sometimes it means realizing I need to lie down and put my feet up for 15 or 20 minutes between tasks. Or it means embracing the moments of the day that are not filled with to-do lists or errands.
Maybe that’s what old age is all about. Learning the true meaning of “Carpe diem!”
Hope you have a great September. Enjoy your day!
PS: Two YEARS later,
(It’s been a rough two years!) I can joyfully announce that Book 5 of my Down Home on the Farm series is here! Let me know if you’d like one for a child near you or if you are preparing a Christmas gift for a child.
(Click the image to email me for a signed copy.)