Thoughts for the day: Life
This post stems from the reading of a very well-written book:
"The Time Keeper"
by
Mitch Albom
Managed to get hold of this book not too long ago, and enjoyed reading every page of this book. Written in a simple fashion, switching between the perspective of 3 persons, and zoning down on a life lesson to ponder on.
As is with his usual style, Mitch Albom's books embeds life enriching stories into his pen. In this, the central plot revolves around "TIME". As the famous saying goes, "Time and tide waits for no man".. We will see this notion strongly emphasized in "The Time Keeper".
Without spoiling too much, the book revolves around the life of three individuals:
- Sarah - A girl who is about to give up on life
- Victor - A wealthy, ageing businessman faced with terminal disease
- Dor - Also known as Father Time, and is the first person to "discover" time
The book begins by introducing the 3 characters, building up to how Dor became Father Time who is banished for centuries, and showing how "time" played an essential part in Sarah and Victor's worlds. Eventual the book leads to Dor redeeming himself by guiding Sarah and Victor on what time truly is...
I'd like to share with you this short little phrase extracted from the book:
"Man alone measures time.
Man alone chimes the hour.
And, because of this, man alone suffers the paralyzing fear that no other creatures endure.
A fear of time running out."
Verdict:
I strongly recommend this book to all. It's an easy read for all ages, and carries a lesson that we all should be aware...
The true meaning of time!
Fellow readers, a little story ensues, and I hope you will find this entertaining whilst giving you something to think about...
For where there is birth, there is bound to be death. Our time in life is constrained by the life force that sustains us, of which withers away every second...
Often I would ponder about things like these while out tending to our crops with my lovely wife. I still remember the day when I first asked her out on a date. I'd still call it a miracle that I didn't screw that up. I was such a coward then! Hands tremble, pale faced, stuttering.... If you must know, she's the first and the only girl I've ever asked out! Beautiful and elegant Chrissy.
Well, things turned out well. We loved each other, did things couples did: held hands, watched movies, talk endlessly through the night... And now we live together as husband and wife who committed to embrace the future hand-in-hand.
Oh... we're staying in the countryside now, away from the bustling city. We think it fits us more out here, free from the mental stress of deadlines, promotions, competition and society pressure! We've got a lovely house, and 2 children, Mary the authoritative lady-boss and James the rebellious trickster, to keep us nuts all day!
It's been a good old 40 years since we've moved out here to start a new life of peace and serenity. We watched as our children grew older and started to venture into their own paths in life, Mary being the successful "my ideas are the best and you better listen" businesswoman, whilst James being the top "there's nothing I can't sell to you" marketer...
Staring across the hill towards the setting sun, I can't help but ponder on how things have changed so much but yet... still the same as it once was...
When we first moved here, Chrissy and I used to sit on the hilltop every evening, enjoying the view of the sun retiring and the moon revealing its face in the sky. Then came Mary and James. Four of us would chatter away on the same hilltop. And now, it's back to just Chrissy and I, just an older version of us.
Look, she's already there... waving for me to join her...
I smiled and hurried over to her side. She lay her gentle head on my shoulder while I embraced her petite body that so fragile. We seemed like a happy 60-year old couple, but deep inside, we both knew better. Chrissy had an incurable virus in her that is draining her life away. We've been to the Doctor, and there was nothing that could be done. Her days are numbered, and they weren't many..
It pains me to see her suffer every night... Coughing madly and choking.. At bad nights, we'd see her cough up blood. Despite all these, she would still smile at me and say, "Don't fret. I'll be alright."
I can't recall when it began, but I'd spend hours and hours researching, asking around, running around to seek for an answer.
What is this disease? How to cure it?
For days, I bury myself in my research with no definite answer. I got impatient and upset.
Whilst I was going about this, Chrissy kept to herself, withdrawn as she felt me falling further and further away from her.
And the fateful day came.. Chrissy could no longer get off her bed. I sat beside her, still going through book with words that I no longer comprehend.
"God, give me more time...." I chanted as I felt Chrissy's breathing slowed.
It was then that Chrissy reached out to my hands. I dropped the book and held on to hers. I realised then that I haven't been paying attention to her for the longest time. Her hair was all over, her frame had shrunk, and even to open her eyes presented a challenge for her. What have I been doing?
Mary and James made it back that day. The three of us just sat beside her, talking about the past, the present and the future... Chrissy smiled.... and sometimes managed a chuckle... at hearing us chatter.
Chrissy motioned for me to come close. I placed my ears on her mouth as she whispered to me... My tears rolled as she continued her weak whisper until her grip weakened, and her breathing slowly came to a halt...
Unbeknownst to our two children, Chrissy left me with a final lesson on life:
"Thank you for all you've done. Moments spent with you is the greatest gift you could ever give to me. You've made my life well lived. Treasure our past, accept the present, and embrace the future. Take care of our kids. I'll watch over you from above. I... Love... You.."
The one regret that I hold on till my deathbed, is that I never truly treasured the last few days I had with Chrissy. I had been so obsessed with finding a cure that I neglected her. She never wanted a cure... She only wanted to spend the rest of her days lovingly with me...
So here, I ask of you, treasure every moment spent with your loved ones. Time will only move forward, and once lost, there's no going back. You only have that much time in your hands, so make the most out of it. Remember, it's never about how much time left, but how well you spent them.
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