The perfect encapsulation of all that is beautiful in human life surrounded by the inevitable momentum of time rendering it so small—and yet so colossal. This is a gem, Tim. It is a lot to carry around inside of one mind, and yet I get the sense you would not have it any other way. I would not either. Thank you for sharing.
💯. I’ll keep as much of it as possible, the light and the dark, not holding on with clawed and desperate hands, but rather with the content and easy smile of a grateful observer.
This one led me down a road of wonder at what we could/would be if we could access and explore more of these moments (“gems” is a fitting words). I feel that I have thousands that I regularly access, all through retold stories that develop my perspective every time I tell them. There are undoubtedly an unimaginable number of gems that I will never have the time or energy to look at. Rather than regretting their “loss”, I feel a deeper appreciation for every moment of my life.
As you well know, it’s a fascinating fucking ride.
Reading this I see my own son at that age, carrot-colored hair and a wide smile. He is 28 now, and married, looking forward to having kids of his own, and reading this brought all of those moments back. I had not realized how much I secretly ache for them, even though I am so, so proud of the man he has become.
He will never again be five years old at the beach. That is true. But someday maybe his son will be.
It’s wild to think about what life would be like if we had the capacity to explore each of these moments, to be fully immersed in each of them for the second that they exist. I’m content to have a tenuous grasp on the relatively small number that stick.
28 seems so far away for my son, and yet will be here in what will feel like a leap. I’m excited for him, excited to witness what he becomes.
My thought on reading this is that you are smart/lucky to be present and cognizant of the fleeting nature of kids. I admit that I was pretty good at that, but not always.
We will celebrate my son’s 31st birthday this weekend and it seems that 5-year-old him was maybe a few months ago.
I do consider myself lucky, although it feels like I missed a lot. The concept of being present was something I was aware of, but I wasn’t practiced at it. My memory for the interpersonal is pretty good, and so I got away with a lot of “past and future” thinking.
Thank you sir! For so long these moments just “happened” to me, passing me by as I looked to the next one. I’ve also missed my fair share with my head in the past. Writing this was a good reminder for me to keep it all grounded in the here and now.
Breathtakingly beautiful! There are times in life I’ve told my husband, “I wish I could bottle this moment!” You captured the love of a parent - a wonderful thing!
The most perfect description of true happiness….the desire to stop the universe at this moment in time and live in it forever. I’ve felt it many times when loving my small children. But I think of those time now and realise that had it been possible I’d have robbed myself of the indescribable joy of knowing and loving their children. That, my friend, is the most exquisite, freeing, and expansive joy ever!!! Holding your children’s children and seeing what you marvelled at decades ago again is like a time travel trick. It is the coolest.
The perfect encapsulation of all that is beautiful in human life surrounded by the inevitable momentum of time rendering it so small—and yet so colossal. This is a gem, Tim. It is a lot to carry around inside of one mind, and yet I get the sense you would not have it any other way. I would not either. Thank you for sharing.
💯. I’ll keep as much of it as possible, the light and the dark, not holding on with clawed and desperate hands, but rather with the content and easy smile of a grateful observer.
This one led me down a road of wonder at what we could/would be if we could access and explore more of these moments (“gems” is a fitting words). I feel that I have thousands that I regularly access, all through retold stories that develop my perspective every time I tell them. There are undoubtedly an unimaginable number of gems that I will never have the time or energy to look at. Rather than regretting their “loss”, I feel a deeper appreciation for every moment of my life.
As you well know, it’s a fascinating fucking ride.
Reading this I see my own son at that age, carrot-colored hair and a wide smile. He is 28 now, and married, looking forward to having kids of his own, and reading this brought all of those moments back. I had not realized how much I secretly ache for them, even though I am so, so proud of the man he has become.
He will never again be five years old at the beach. That is true. But someday maybe his son will be.
It’s wild to think about what life would be like if we had the capacity to explore each of these moments, to be fully immersed in each of them for the second that they exist. I’m content to have a tenuous grasp on the relatively small number that stick.
28 seems so far away for my son, and yet will be here in what will feel like a leap. I’m excited for him, excited to witness what he becomes.
Thank you
Just absolutely beautiful writing!
My thought on reading this is that you are smart/lucky to be present and cognizant of the fleeting nature of kids. I admit that I was pretty good at that, but not always.
We will celebrate my son’s 31st birthday this weekend and it seems that 5-year-old him was maybe a few months ago.
Thank you sir.
I do consider myself lucky, although it feels like I missed a lot. The concept of being present was something I was aware of, but I wasn’t practiced at it. My memory for the interpersonal is pretty good, and so I got away with a lot of “past and future” thinking.
Grateful to be on the path to a better way.
Thank you for the kind words and insight
Treasured moments in time, so heartbreakingly beautiful in their finitude. You describe this with excellence Tim!
Thank you sir! For so long these moments just “happened” to me, passing me by as I looked to the next one. I’ve also missed my fair share with my head in the past. Writing this was a good reminder for me to keep it all grounded in the here and now.
Breathtakingly beautiful! There are times in life I’ve told my husband, “I wish I could bottle this moment!” You captured the love of a parent - a wonderful thing!
Thanks Laura. I’m learning to keep an eye out for them and experience the fully as they happen!
The most perfect description of true happiness….the desire to stop the universe at this moment in time and live in it forever. I’ve felt it many times when loving my small children. But I think of those time now and realise that had it been possible I’d have robbed myself of the indescribable joy of knowing and loving their children. That, my friend, is the most exquisite, freeing, and expansive joy ever!!! Holding your children’s children and seeing what you marvelled at decades ago again is like a time travel trick. It is the coolest.
I look forward to that day, to whatever adventure that chapter may bring. I’ve still got a ways to go.
Thank you as always for the kind words and insight!