In the past 7 days I have experienced time in many different ways; in many different dimensions. I’m not talking about time in a linear way, second after second, minute after minute, hour after hour, day after day. I’m talking about time being captured, framed by a past and future. I’m talking about time that causes you to reflect on all that was, all that is, and all there is to be. Three experiences stand out above all others.
My first experience with time was the running and completing of the Columbus ½ Marathon. Whereas time was kept, was recorded as some sort of official documentation that I finished what I started, I passed through the experience of running 13.1 miles on a plane in many ways indescribable. I remember little of the sights and sounds as I wound through the streets of Columbus. Perhaps it was due to this being a “first time” experience. I found that I needed total focus and concentration on the very moment to keep moving toward the finish line. As I reflect on this truly amazing experience one week removed, I wonder how much of what I remember actually happened, and how much I think happened?
My second experience with time could have been a tragedy. I am so thankful to say it was not. Talk about timing. Tuesday afternoon I headed out for a slow jog just to get my legs back. Within a few short minutes into my jog I heard a screeching of tires, saw a little boy standing frozen in the street, and a car within inches of having struck him. As I approached the little boy on his way home from elementary school, he was frozen in shock. I moved to the little fella, put my hands up to be sure all traffic would stop, and asked him if I could walk him safely back to the sidewalk. He slightly shook his head yes and I led him safely back to the sidewalk. By this time the reality of what took place had settled in and the tears were flowing and the little boy was shaking uncontrollably. I got down on my knees, asked the boy to look me in the eyes. I pointed to my house and told him I lived there. I then asked him if he wanted me to walk him home. As I handed him off safely to his Mom telling her what a lesson her little boy learned today, I told the little fella to “grow up strong and make your Mommy proud.” As I reflect upon this truly amazing experience just several days removed, I wonder how much of what I remember actually happened, and how much I think happened?
My third experience with time was having the honor to be a part of a Memorial Service for a man I have known and loved for 35 years. Yesterday the life of this dear man was celebrated by many, many friends and his loving family. Many stories were shared. Many brought on tears. Many brought on smiles and laughter. What better way is there to remember this man’s full, amazing life? I sat transfixed in a vacuum of time throughout this time of remembrance. I sat thinking back on all the memories stored up over 35 years. At the same time I was totally wrapped up in the present with all the raw emotion felt when someone so loved has ended their journey on Earth. And within all of this my mind raced to the future and all that awaits everyone sitting there yesterday. As I reflect upon this truly amazing experience just one day removed, I wonder how much of what I remember actually happened, and how much I think happened?
Which brings me back to time and how amazing of a gift time is. Time was given to me in multiple ways, in multiple dimensions this past week. Time allowed me to experience the thrill of running a ½ marathon. Time with all the mystery surrounding it stopped…stood still for that mili-bleep of a second so that little boy could go home and fall into the loving comfort of his Mom’s hugs and kisses. And time traveled back 35 years, then jumped to the present, and passed into eternity as we said “Thank You” to a very beloved man.
Here is what I am left with. Past-time is stored full of truly amazing and wonderful memories. Could some thing have been done differently? Undoubtedly! Yet each of these things makes me who I am right now. Let me jump to future-time. Who knows what is there? Who cares? What I do know is to savor that unknown when it becomes a known and cradle it dearly when all is over as another amazing memory. As for present-time, I gotta go. There are plenty of things awaiting me right now!
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