The Gift of Time

While driving, I recently heard the song "Funny How Time Slips Away" sung by Jimmy Elledge. (I'm sure you've heard the song as it has been covered by many people. I was surprised to find out that it was written by Willie Nelson.) Elledge's version caught my attention. Was it a woman singing? How soulful the song sounded. I looked it up when I got home, and downloaded it. (I'm listening to it as I write this also.)

My entire life has felt like time is slipping away. It is a commodity of which I have never had enough. Oh, the lists! The tricks to try to squeeze in this task and that task here or there. So much being asked of me and so little time to do it all. The stress and frustration were real. (I feel the need to apologize to my children especially for the extra moments I didn't give you. Moments I didn't feel I had. I apologize to other family members and friends too.)

And now, I am retired, again. Having tried this once before, I approached this retirement with more prayer and planning. And God, being good, is granting me time. I am as busy as ever, but the urgency to move to the next task does not feel as pressing. As the saying goes, "It's the little things that matter the most."

• Yes, I can sit with Thomas and watch a show or movie.

• I am finding insights in the scriptures that I didn't see before.

• When finishing a note or postcard, I can take the extra minute to find stickers and washi tape that the recipient might love.

• I can finish a chapter.

• I can call a friend and talk for more than ten minutes.

• I can try to listen better.

• I can pick things up and try to find a place for them or throw them away.

• I can take time to go for a walk, to cook, to eat better.

• (I can take time to think things through and post them in a blog.)

As a tangent to this, I am realizing that many of my judgements about things were more than likely hasty.

• Not liking Will Ferrell, I had never watched the movie Elf. I gave it a try and truly enjoyed the movie and intend to watch it each holiday season from now on.

• I've tried to read Catch-22 at least 22 times, and had given up. I decided to try reading it out loud with Thomas and Grandma. I ending up liking it very much and understand why it is on so many Best Books lists.

• We're reading The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy now, another book I had written off as not having time to bother with. (We are not far into it yet, and the jury is still out, but I'm hopeful.)

Speaking of hopeful, I feel more hope. I haven't been handed vistas of hours, but I am being given a different mindset, and time to breathe. Yes, I can....