You've heard it before: Where does the time go? For me, that's not rhetorical--I really want to know where it went so I can go get it.
There's never enough of the stuff. When I've done the laundry, cooked a few meals, blogged a bit, and read a few chapters in whatever book is on my nightstand, I find a week's worth of time has been eaten up and I haven't accomplished anything like what I have planned to accomplish that week.
And, as you know, the older one gets, the faster tempus fugits. Why is that? Why should time go faster now than when I was a child? It does though. Back in the 50s and 60s, a day was about 157 hours, a week was days and days, summer wasn't endless but it almost was, and the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas was forever.
Then came the 70s and 80s, and every unit of time seemed to split in half. A day was now half a day, weekends lasted a couple of hours, and there wasn't enough time between Thanksgiving and Christmas to address Christmas cards.
By the time the 90s rolled around, I saw little point of getting out of bed in the morning. All that showering and blow-drying and making up--the day would be over in two shakes of a lambs tail, and I'd just have to do it all over again.
Now we've turned a new century (can that have been almost nine years ago already?), and I swear I can see the hour hand spinning on the clock. The weeks all run together in a smudge with little definition among the days. Months go by like days used to. And the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas is now 45 minutes. (Speaking of which, it's July, right?, not even August yet. I walked into Hobby Lobby yesterday and found the autumn stuff marked 50% off and the Christmas stuff out. I wanted to scream, "Can you just wait a minute! Please! I haven't even got all my Christmas stuff put away from last year." But I digress. That's why I used parentheses.)
Time is like the weather: everybody talks about it, but nobody does anything about it. Don't you think the president or Congress would appoint a committee to study time and find a solution to its speedy romp through our lives? What's going to happen when it runs out entirely? I can see a day, and it won't be long at this rate, when you'll be getting up before you go to bed. There will be no need to get the kids ready for school, because it'll be out already. You won't be able to get to work before it's quitting time, therefore you'll never get a paycheck, therefore you can't pay the bills, which will be past due before you receive them anyway. You see? It's a serious problem. Who do I write to about this?
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On 07/24/2008, Pesky Patti said ...
Hey Susan! Time goes so fast for me, too. When I drive somewhere it's in reverse....
On 07/24/2008, Cathi said ...
This is a fabulous post! I couldn't have said it better! I just cannot understand where time goes -- whole weeks go by and I feel like I must have somehow or another missed half of it!
On 07/24/2008, Janet said ...
You have said what so many of us at this stage of our lives have been thinking forever! And in such an eloquent and entertaining way. You're a wonderful author - keep up the good work!
On 07/24/2008, Patti said ...
I'd love to find the person with the answer - I'd elect him or her president in a minute! (Except that the election would already be over!)
I can't believe I ever had time to work. That seems like a different life - and a lifetime ago - this retirement life is going faster than any other life I've ever led!
On 07/24/2008, Beverly said ...
Susan, you hit the nail on the head. I'm just glad it was still there to hit.
If you're starting a petition, I will sign it.
And, why is it that the work day hours go so much more slowly than the time off hours?
On 07/24/2008, Lynne in Hawaii said ...
So thought provoking! So true! Is someone working on the time warp solution? Help! We need help! What ever happen to all the 'free' time I hear so much about? By the time you figure out it is free...its gone!
Thanks for the smile!
On 07/25/2008, Debbie said ...
“Time is free, but it's priceless. You can't
own it, but you can use it. You can't keep
it, but you can spend it. Once you've lost it
you can never get it back.”
I don't remember where this quote came from, but it fits the bill!
I never have enough!
On 07/25/2008, Hunnybunny said ...
This post is fabulous! Might I suggest part of the problem you have with time is how productive you are. Seriously, you accomplish so much I can't imagine having time to bathe and cook, never mind clean if I got as much done as you! LOL
Looking forward to seeing the pink and green room, I love those colors. Like cupcakes, mmmm
On 07/25/2008, PHyl said ...
You've stated what we all know as "seniors", especially! I don't remember exactly WHEN my time starting slipping away faster, but it's connected somehow to my AGE, of all things! (I'm so tired of hearing that, aren't you?!!!)
On 07/25/2008, Joan said ...
This is all so true. as a child of the 50's following i could follow what you wrote and only agree. I seem to have less time now and the clock just races everyday.
On 07/25/2008, Jean B said ...
Susan, It takes us longer to do anything and
we have to sit down and rest so much of our
time. Enjoy the many many things you do 'cause
it DON'T get any better.
On 07/26/2008, Kai said ...
I know you can't SEE me, Susan, but I am giving you a standing ovation! You are SO right about the breakdown of time. Of course, being an Indian, I am SUPPOSED to be laid back about it - you know - be on 'Indian Time' - & maybe on the rez, I WOULD be. But I live here in a clock-driven world & it speeds & spins. Wasn't I just 18 last year? Oh wait, that was FORTY last years ago. Sigh ...
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