Tempus Fugit

Hello All,

I took Latin in high school – two or three years of it. It certainly wasn’t a language that was conversational; however, it was very helpful for nursing school and medical terminology – and sometimes for Jeopardy! Tempus fugit – time flies. It is amazing to compare 2021 to 2020 (for many different reasons!). I thought 2020 would never end – it was as slow as a snail. On the other hand, 2021 seems to be racing by. As author Richard L. Ratliff wrote, “Time is passing, not leaden, but sprinting on winged feet. Quick silver, slipping by.” Here we are at the beginning of September. Summer is sort of unofficially over – I know, all of the summer lovers are going “It’s not September 22nd yet.” School is beginning. A war has ended. Dealing with the aftereffects and impacts is beginning. Storms have blown over. Recovery has already begun and will be lengthy. Fires still rage, and where they have gone out, rebirth has begun.

I don’t know why time has been on my mind. Perhaps it’s Bob’s big project to digitize all of these negatives and pictures from the past so the “captured in time” moments live on – so they become a formally recorded history of family, friends, cats, shared experiences, holidays, bad hair cuts and colors (oh my!), varying clothes styles…..in our varying weights, laughter, love. Perhaps it’s because I am old enough to have great-great nieces, with another one on the way. Perhaps it is because another birthday will be here in two months. Perhaps it is because the approaching Autumn is always time for me to reflect.

Whatever. Just remember that time is too short. Remember to be kind – I can think of no better legacy. Remember to say thank you. Remember people’s names. Remember to give small gifts or send cards just because. Remember to acknowledge success. Remember to learn from failure. Remember it is important to be a mentor. Remember not to sweat the small stuff – and, in the end, it is all small stuff. Remember that laughter really is the best medicine. Remember – every now and then – to eat dessert first. Remember to help the next person. Remember people don’t want a hand out – they want a hand up. Remember that a touch, a hug, a pat on the back, a hand held is powerful. Remember that your voice is important. Remember that the sound of the ocean or a babbling brook is calming. Remember to vote. Remember to volunteer – your treasure, your time, your talent. Remember to never stop learning. Remember that your work is important…..but it is not the only thing. Remember to sleep in when you can – and take a nap (but not at work!) Remember that words can hurt or heal – and are remembered for a long time. Remember that when you can, say yes. Remember that you make a difference – and it is up to you whether it is positive or negative. Remember to dance when you have the chance, even if you do it poorly. Remember to sing out loud. Remember to love.

I will end with this quote from Martin Uzochukwu Ugwu, “Time limits, make each moment count.”

Phyl

P.S. Did you hear? ABBA is set to release their first studio album in 40 years! Woohoo! If I could dance – well, at least dance well – I would be a “Dancing Queen”!

P.S.S. Have a safe, healthy and joy-filled holiday weekend! Thank you for your many contributions to make our society better. And as Martin Luther King said, “No work is insignificant. All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence.”