A lovely sunset last night on the river
There is a common idea that if we could go back in time we might better appreciate the moments with the wisdom we have since gained. Well, I realize that is a fallacy. I am watching my grandchildren grow and change like cornstalks in the field after a rain. I am aware of the moments when I am with them and I appreciate every second, but time still rushes on by and they still are growing and changing faster than I can deeply grasp. It is not about wisdom gained with experience. It is about realizing that we cannot slow down time. We cannot pace our lives as we wish. Having time to reflect and understand only helps a little. We still will make mistakes and have regrets no matter how wise we have become.
Life is like a river. It rushes dangerously fast in some places, then goes slowly and peacefully (or dully) in others. We are just along for the ride and try though we might, we miss much stuff in communication and relationships and understanding how others are truly feeling. We try to put ourselves in their place, but the river quickly pushes us on to somewhere else and we must process all over again that new color in the water and that new ripple.
I guess that there are people who know this truth most of their life. They do not waste time second guessing a decision or a relationship. But, I think for most of us, it is a crazy journey and we cannot really see the destination as well as we would like. It is a far way ahead and it will be whatever it is when we get there. We hope that we will understand it and recognize its meaning, and find it is something we can accept but hope is all we get at this turn in the river.
There is a sort of river of things passing into being,
ReplyDeleteand Time is a violent torrent;
no sooner is a thing brought to sight than it is swept by and another takes its place,
and this too will be swept away.
Marcus Aurelius AD 121-80
or, as somebody else said, you never step into the same river twice.
I am wondering also if "progress" is making this life even more crazy. It feels like we just don't slow down and appreciate the journey sometimes. It is exhausting.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post.
Friko, that is a nice quote and fits perfectly with what I was trying to say. I think it was Heraclitus that said that about a river.
ReplyDeleteI love your view of both the river literal and figurative. The way you have expressed this is wonderfully descriptive and apt.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy and appreciate, very much, your insights on this journey Tabor.
xxsm
Communication, relationships and time are all difficult to understand. There are periods of turbulence like a rushing river and they are the most difficult, of course.
ReplyDeleteI think mother-daughter relationships are the hardest. Different personalities, a different generation and two women make for conflict. But daughters can be our best friends if we get past that.
In regard to your comment on my page, the answer is NOT even close!
ReplyDeleteExcellent observations, Tabor!
ReplyDeleteLovely river photo and
ReplyDeletea post that makes me glad you are my blog friend.
Thanks
Chancy
A nice and thought provoking post Tabor. I was blessed with a dear sweet mother and I miss her every day.
ReplyDeleteTabor, thanks for the visit. The answer to your question is - in this case - she brought a picture of a bouquet that she liked and that was my interpretation of it. It had to be changed a little, such as substituting callas for tulips, and leaving out carnations, but essentially it looks very much like the pic she brought.
ReplyDeleteMost brides choose a style from my portfolio and then we discuss how best to do it in her color scheme.
I think we need constant reminders of how transient life is otherwise we take it for granted. It's all such a mystery not to be solved.
ReplyDeleteI am shocked at how fast Bryce has grown in one year and how he will never be that baby again. Also why when we die as old people is old the way we are remembered?
What an interesting post! Very thought provoking. And the photo is beautiful.
ReplyDeletevery interesting post....I miss my mother so. We did not have a completely harmonious relationship when I was young, but, as I aged, we got along better. I felt I should take care of her, she did for me....
ReplyDeleteSo truly said--that we never know what's gonna come at the bend but always hope that it'll be good.
ReplyDeleteTouching post. Thank ye :-)
You must have written this for me.
ReplyDeleteI relate to it so well. Not until the last years of my mothers life were we "somewhat" close.
I love this post, Tabor. You have such insight and you describe life's journey so well. You have much to offer those wee ones. They lucked out with a wise grandma.
ReplyDeleteYour reflection is as beautiful as the sunset Tabor! :)
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