When I was younger, the concept of time being a unique gift made little sense to me. I associated the phrase with a whimsical vision of time. The passing of time did not occur to me. The irony of having too much time did not occur either. We do not consider the ironic elements of this unique gift until we reach a certain age.
This age is one in which we reflect on our lives. Time never goes quickly enough for the young. Children cannot wait for Christmas. Summer vacation seems like an eternity away. There is always something to look forward to and time just gets in the way.
Growing up seems to be such a long process that the great gift of time slips by during the stage of our lives in which we should be savoring each and every second. We just could not wait for our eighteenth birthday. Then the milestone of 21 year old is the decadent goal; that moment that marks our independence and establishes us as adults. We cannot wait for those Christmas gift once in a year too. We never think of the way that we wish the unique gift away.
We never think about how we watched the clock ticking our unique gift of time into oblivion as we wish for the classroom bell to mark the end of Algebra class. We grow to wish away our lives in hopes that our workday will end. The Kevin Ayers song meant little to me years ago. Today, I understand how the unique gift of time is an ironic present, an unusual gift as well. Time begins to pass faster and faster as we begin to realize how very precious it is.
It seems like just a moment ago, I was saying goodbye to my high school history teacher. The last thing he said to me was, "The rest is just a flash." As I get older I notice that time has little regard for how sorry I am for wanting it to pass faster. I did not realize the unique gift granted wishes.
Although there is no way to recapture the past, maybe we can begin to savor our moments as they pass, as a thank you gift for those time we have gotten. Many of my memories are closely linked to music. When I hear songs that were popular years ago, I can remember events surrounding the music very vividly. At least, it seems that way.
One song has been on my mind recently and this tune is one of great meaning to me even now. I understand the lyrics to "Crazy gift of Time" by Kevin Ayers so much better than I did years ago. Regardless whether it sounds as crazy lyrics or not.
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