It's not possible that I sat there that long going through morning coffee cup one and cup two. But judging from the sun's position and how warm it was becoming, yup, I most certainly did.
Boy, time sure flies.
It's been a week since I traveled the usual route to 4-H dairy quiz bowl. Seven short days. One particularly large field of corn must have grown a foot during the previous week. The teenaged ladies in the car with me noticed it before I could get the words out of my mouth. (Pretty observant, wouldn't you agree? Now those are some real farm gals!)
Hours race through the day, corn seems to grow like Jack's magical beanstalk and time marches on way, way too quickly.
Where did the time go? It was just yesterday that the kids were learning to ride bikes and toys cluttered their bedrooms.
It was just yesterday we walked down the aisle—only 28 years ago.
It was just yesterday when, degree in hand, the door to the future opened as opportunity knocked on the other side of the door.
Boy, time sure flies.
In my mind, I know for sure I'm still 20 something—young, fresh and full of energy. A look in the mirror tells a different story. Where did all that gray hair come from and when did it show up? The lady who cuts my hair tells me how pretty the gray looks on me; ha! She is wrangling for a big tip—I know she's lying. I tell her that I see through the lies. I also leave a tip.
Seasons of the year race by, just like seasons of life. Another planting season, another harvest. At least there is more than one shot at getting a good crop planted and harvested. You get to try again year after year; change the fertilizer or pesticide mix, add irrigation, use a different harvest tool. You don't usually get a second chance at the seasons of life. You don't get to grow up a second time. You don't get a do-over on raising a family. Occasionally you get a second chance to chase a dream. By the way, if that happens, don't let it get away the second time around!
I think someone has a foot on a giant cosmic accelerator these days. Time goes by too quickly and the world seems to be rushing by in a big hurry. I want to just put on the brakes, jump off and make it stop for awhile so I can catch my breath and catch up. Am I the only one that feels that way?
Unfortunately, time isn't likely to decelerate for me or anyone else. So hang on tight and don't close your eyes. You're likely to miss something big if you do.
By the way, it's the Fourth of July. Summer is half over and 2016 is on the downswing. We're closer to 2017 than we are to the beginning of 2016. I knew you welcomed that sobering thought today. Which also means Christmas is right around the corner and at the pace of things, will probably feel like next week. Do you have your Christmas shopping done?
Bev Berens is a mom to 4-H and FFA members in Michigan. Do you have a story to share? Email her at uphillfarm494@yahoo.com.