Time Flies

I’ve spent the last two weeks caught up in the hoopla of my son’s graduation. Hard to believe the strapping young man who now towers over me was born seventeen years ago. Where does the time go?

I couldn’t help but think about all that’s happened in my life since my son’s birth. Happiness ebbs and flows. There seems to be no rhyme or reason to the events that mold us. In the past seventeen years I moved five times, twice across the country; I lost a child and fought depression; I gave birth to a daughter; my mom battled breast cancer and won; my brother disowned his family; aunts, uncles and cousins have passed away while nieces and nephews have been born.

Life’s not easy. My pastor’s recent teaching on Ecclesiastes has shown this to me in a new light. We can rack our brains trying to figure out what buttons to push in order to have a good life. What’s the secret formula? What products do I need to use or what car do I need to drive in order to be happy? What can I do to keep anything bad from happening to me or my family? The truth is there is no button. There’s nothing we can do or say, buy or use, that will give us the perfect life. Just in the last few months we’ve seen celebrities who seemed to have it all throw it away in search of something more.

I’ve made it my goal this year to live a better life. Not one of monetary success or fame, but one where the things I do and say matter more. I have to admit, I’m not doing the best job of it. I’ve let life sidetrack me. But watching my son cross the stage to receive his diploma the other night has spurred my desire again. I saw this young man my husband and I’d raised beaming with pride (and relief!) at his accomplishment and I wanted that joy for myself. What new skill can I learn this year? What fear can I overcome? What goal can I set and see attained? Just like the characters in one of my favorite movies, Second Hand Lions, when my time on earth is done I want people to think that I LIVED! I’m making plans my friends! I’ll let you know what happens!