Columnists
In the moment
By the time some of you read this, I’ll be on my way to Brandon, Manitoba to spend some precious moments with our new grandson. I can’t believe November is just around the corner. I’ll be wondering what the heck happened to October? How did it get to be one day until November? Didn’t we just have Thanksgiving weekend? Shouldn’t I be enjoying the beautiful colours of fall, making apple pies and wondering why I’m the only person in Canada who can’t stand the thought of drinking a pumpkin-spiced anything. When I was a kid, nothing took longer to happen than the clang of the bell announcing morning recess or those long, draggy days before Christmas or a birthday. Now, I feel like there’s never enough time to get done all the things that need doing. By the time you read this, I’m sure the eavestroughs on our house will still be full of leaves, even though it was a chore that was on top of our list in the first week of October. And the last of the lawn furniture will still be languishing on the porch and around the fire pit. On top of that, by the time you read this I’ll still be wondering why I didn’t accomplish all of the things I wanted to do in 2018 because the year has flown by. It’s only two months until 2019. Yep, by the time you read this, I’ll be wondering what the heck happened, not only to the summer, but the whole darned year.
If you’re reading this and it’s November first, I’m on a plane. Doubtless, I’m on the plane after a sprint from the parking lot to the boarding gate. As I frantically look for my pass, I’m secretly hoping the coffee service starts as soon as the landing gear is up. If I’ve got a window seat, I’m looking out to see where we are and where we’re going. Ah, November. It’s a month of cold wind and rain one day and dazzling sun in blue skies the next. Sometime in November a few snowflakes will fly, and LOML and I will scramble to get the snow shovels out of the barn before the doors freeze to the ground. As November flies by, I’ll spend more than a few of moments thinking about my dad and all of those men and women who serve, or served, this country in the Armed Forces. I’ll wonder why retailers rush my already rushed life. From late August onwards, store shelves were filled with Hallowe’en costumes and treats. When we return from Brandon, I’m sure the local shop shelves will have seen the last of the bite-sized bars and snack-sized bags of chips. Tinsel, candy canes and fruitcake will replace the candy corn, scary masks and Hallowe’en kisses. Festive Muzak will fill the air. I don’t like the way time flies by, these days. I certainly don’t want a “do-over” of 2018, but it could have taken a bit longer to progress. I’d like to slow things down a bit—but I don’t want to slow down. I’ve got so many things to do and so many places to visit and so many people to meet.
Yep, I’m probably looking out the window of the plane hoping our youngest kid doesn’t wish away her time with their newborn son. How do I get her to understand how time quickly disappears as we age? I admit, I was a guilty of looking forward to the first time the babies rolled over, sat up, crawled, walked and their first words. And then? Well, and then our babies had babies of their own. I want my kid to enjoy every, single moment she spends with her kid. Be happy for this moment.
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