I wake up several times each night. I know I’m not alone in this repeated I’m-asleep-now-I’m-awake middle of the night routine.
The first thing I do when I wake up is glance at the alarm clock on my bedside table. It’s an illuminated model with oversize red digital numbers I purchased several years ago for my mother-in-law who battled macular degeneration.
It’s not so much a sentimental keepsake as it is a practical one. If nothing else, I no longer wake up each morning and ask Rob, “What time is it?”
Consulting the clock throughout the night goes like this:
12:20 a.m. Whew! Still have some hours to sleep …
2:45 a.m. Okay … still not too bad …
5:00 a.m. To get up or not to get up, that is the question …
I always hesitate to look at the clock face to see how much time has slipped by since I last opened my eyes. I cling to those hours in in the middle of the night – don’t go, don’t go – rather than resting.
What a contradictory relationship we have with time.
My youngest GRANDgirl turns 1-year-old tomorrow. I find myself wondering, “How did this happen?”
And yet, I know exactly how she reached this wonderful milestone. She (and her parents) live with us while my daughter Amy finishes college. I’ve had the privilege of watching my GRANDgirl progress from who-will-you-be newborn to all-about-pushing-the-boundaries toddler.
She grew up, day by day – and I cheered her on, celebrating everything from her first smile to how she now conquers the stairs and dances along to Elmo’s song. La la la la …
Every day she grows up is a day I grow older.
Do I cheer for the progression of time when I view it through the “I’m growing older” lens?
Yes, yes, I do. Well, maybe I don’t cheer, but I made the decision years ago I would embrace getting older. Not fight it. Not grieve it.
Today becoming yesterday as we walk into tomorrow … this is natural. This is good.
I can look back over my shoulder and see my yesterdays. Those are called memories. But tomorrow? I can’t count those. I don’t know how many of those I’m allotted. I plan on celebrating birthdays and anniversaries and just-because days with my family for years to come … but only God knows the number of days I’m here on this earth. (Psalm 139:16)
Here’s to valuing the time we have. Days gone by and days to come, and yes, accepting the hours we wake up in the middle of the night. And here’s to today … and choosing to start and end each day with hope.
Choosing to Own Our Days #time #values Click To Tweet 'You've got to own your days and live them, each one of them ... or else the years go by and none of them belong to you.' #quote by Herb Gardner #life #perspective Click To Tweet
Comments 9
I love this, Beth. Solid wisdom–choosing to start and end each day with hope. I, too, have chosen to age gracefully…or should I say gratefully. I’m thankful for each day the Lord gives me and I hope to honor Him with what I say and do.
Author
Lisa: Let’s remind each other to age “gratefully.” 🙂
Each day spins by, a writhing gyre,
forward now, and then reverse,
and as the flames about rise higher
I know tomorrow will be worse,
for none can halt the flow of things,
nor can alter what’s to happen,
but, my friend, my heart has wings
and each day I’m just a-snappin’
fingers to the doomsday beat
that’s thematic in my chest;
not the dull dirge of defeat,
but anthem of a life lived best
by laughing through the sulphur-smoke
and turning hell into a joke.
Author
Andrew: You live life well, day by day, reminding us all a faith-filled life, a life lived for others, is always best.
Praying for you, my friend.
Good post. You know I seem to hear whichever English poet it was talking about “time’s winged chariot” drawing near so am a bit too pushed and goal-oriented. Still, I am pleased w/ what gets done, but should take time to smell the roses and be a bit less reactive when interrupted, etc. I love the interactions you’ve had w/ various grandchildren and their parents in your home. That alone could be a great book!
Author
Dee: “Time’s winged chariot” — such vivid imagery. And you invest much time and love in others. I’ve seen it time and again, and been blessed by it, too. 🙂
I’m having the same sleep problems. Trying to work them out.
Author
Denise: It gets tired — no pun intended — but I’m trying to accept it and use the time wisely even as I try to find a way to sleep through the night. I don’t want to wish the hours away.
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