Saturday, May 2, 2009
Not Watching
In the stale, stifled air of our car, which had been idle for seven weeks, Spouse and I sat and gathered our thoughts.
I was sobered to note that the digital clock had been flickering relentlessly from one second to the next all the while, though we were not watching, through each intense, sharp-edged moment as though nothing untoward had happened to us.
I snapped down the front-passenger visor: for the record, chocolate fingerprints remain in place even when one's life might have fallen apart. Years ago Spouse joined a volunteer organisation and became a Big Brother to a little boy who happened to tug one day at that same visor as he chewed on a sugary snack.
The pair spoke on the telephone recently about Spouse's recent trauma: the younger one asked questions; old times were resurrected. Too many months and years had passed since the last occasion.
"You were eight when I met you," Spouse laughed.
"And I'll be eighteen in a month," was the reply that startled the sparrows right out of their trees, that left Spouse momentarily mute.
Children march from one year to another even if we are not watching. Especially if we are not watching.
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7 comments:
I am constantly amazed at the way kids get older than the image I have of their little selves lodged in my memory.
But how lovely to circle around and meet them again - it's so nice that you have stayed in touch.
what a beautiful post. it captures the all the feelings about the passing of time in such a gentle way.
Arlene, it is incredible. I still think of them as children then I hear they are off to college...
ArtSparker, it is good to come back to old friends and people who have been like family. We don't stay in frequent touch but we'll always come back around.
Hele, I suppose I thought the car clock should have stopped... I struggled to believe it had been changing all through everything we'd been through, completely careless. But of course it does. Life goes on!
I blinked and our oldest grandchild turned 16, driving his own car, a girlfriend, working part time.
The marching continues on the other end too though we are reticent to admit it. Pappy
Del, and blink again and get another surprise... the world keeps on turning!
Texican, it does... not just children. Time slips by and I don't know where it gets to.
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