Sunday, September 13, 2009

The Imparitiality of Time

My Grandmother's birthday, were she still with us, would be today.
She would be seventy-five years old. However, some three weeks ago or so, she passed away after a long on again, off again fight with cancer. This picture was taken the Thanksgiving where she was waiting to hear the results of the test that would confirm the diagnosis which would ultimately lead to her funeral. It was taken three years ago.

This got me thinking.
My grandmother had not been in the greatest of health in a very long time. Some twenty five years or more ago she suffered an aneurysm and a series of strokes which left her paralyzed on the left side. After decades of therapy, she was finally moving about at a debilitated level, but walking, and walking without a cane. Then she was involved in a car accident in which the driver of an oncoming car had a seizure and crossed over and hit her vehicle head on.
She broke her hip, suffered deep tissue staph infections, and was set back to using a wheel chair.
She had battled melanoma, thyroid cancer, and a host of other diseases. No one thought she'd live nearly as long as she did.
But of course, when she got so close to seventy-five, we all began to get complacent, assuming that because she was this close, surely she'd at least live to see her birthday.
But time can be so impartial, and therefore, on a day of no other real significance, she died.

Time is impartial. It does not slow nor speed for any of us, no matter how we will it to. It does not favor the good times, but speeds on, slipping away so quickly we can hardly feel it passing through us. It does not speed up when we're in a waiting room, bored to tears, waiting to be called for whatever our purpose. No, it drags without any regard for our desires.
Time is impartial.
So for my grandmother's birthday this year, or perhaps her un-birthday, take some of that time that will keep moving without any regard for any of us, and spend it with your family. Talk to your grandparents. Ask them the questions that only they can answer, and respect the fact that they're capable of telling you if you're asking too personal of questions, and you don't have to censor your curiosity for their sake. They were young and curious and inappropriate long before you were. Take the time and ask though.
And if your grandparents are gone, spend time with your parents.
And your aunts.
And your uncles.
Your brothers and sisters, cousins and friends.
But most importantly, take some time to spend with your children, to answer their questions.

And if you read this far and say "but I haven't any grandparents, aunts, uncles, parents, brothers, sisters, cousins, children, or friends," then good golly, don't spend your time reading blogs, spend it making some.

4 comments:

Drahdrah said...

My condolences for your loss. What a beautiful post.

The Old Parsonage said...

Sorry to hear about your Gram, but loved listening to you talk about her. It reminded me of my precious memories too.

Just stopping by for PS, but glad that I got to read this too!

If you have the time, please stop by The Old Parsonage...I love company!

Enjoy!
Leann

Mommie Daze said...

I am sorry for your loss. I had a grandfather that died when I was in college. I never took the time to sit down then and ask him about his life. Now there are so many things I wish I could ask. Time is precious. We should use it well.

Unknown said...

My grandmother passed away 3 yrs ago. What I wouldn't give for just one more long conservation with her, there are so many questions that will forever be unanswered. I miss her tremendously and not a day goes by that I don't think of her. Thank you for this post.
I am sorry for your loss.