The Fullness of Time

Posted in love, UncategorizedTagged , , , , , , , , ,

“The years teach much which the days never know.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Miss O has been working on “time” problems in school. Like “It’s 12:40. Zach is supposed to meet his friend in 45 minutes. What time will it be when they meet?” She generally likes math but these problems are getting her goat at the moment.

So, we were settling into bed and she asked me, “Was time around when you were a kid?” Then she thought for a moment and continued, “Oh yeah, they’ve had it for a while.”

I couldn’t get out of the room fast enough to burst into laughter and write that one down. That she said this the night before my birthday wasn’t lost on me.

Hee, hee. Yes, they’ve had time long enough for me to count out 55 years. What else has the fullness of time given me?

Laughter

When we had a small party of family and friends to celebrate my birthday, as well as my mom’s and my friend Eric’s, the thing I enjoyed most was the laughter. Miss O and Mr. D put on a recital. There was great food and also presents, but the real gift was the just the lightness of being. Miss O asked why my eyes leak so frequently when I laugh. I don’t know exactly, but it has something to do with just being so happy to be here.

Perspective

Time has also given me the gift of perspective. It’s a bigger sea in which my hurts, my worries, and even my hopes feel less significant. They matter, but more as in a way that helps me set my sails instead of being the sea itself. I’m a far more patient person – but not because I’ve grown my patience but because the fullness of time helps me settle into the wait.

Heart

I have a favorite quote when it comes to the heart,

“God breaks the heart again and again and again until it stays open.”

-Hazrat Inayat Khan

When I first met that quote, it was like almost everything else that has become my teacher. I thought, “No, no, no.”

But time has shown it is less about heart break and more about giving up control. There are people, things, dreams, and abilities that hurt so much when they go. But the heart has no hands to hang on to them. Leaning into that is like opening windows in my heart so that the breeze can flow through.

So, has anyone figured out the answer to the time problem at the top of the post? Clearly, it’s “Who knows because Zach is always running late? But we’ll hug him when we see him.” 🙂 Or at least that’s the answer that the fullness of time has given me.  

64 thoughts on “The Fullness of Time”

  1. Happiest of happy birthdays, Wynne! Congrats on reaching your milestone year. 😊 And love all the life lessons you’ve shared, especially about the perspective, one of the truest gifts with time.

    And I love your response to the time question. That Zach just needs a hug! We’re working on time questions over here too and summer break can’t come fast enough. 10 more days!

    Liked by 3 people

  3. Terrific post, Wynne. Happiest of birthdays. The good news is that, in my experience at least, the ability to put things in perspective continues to grow as the years roll on. 😊💕

    Liked by 4 people

  8. I’m with Miss O, I hated Math Word Problems. I would inevitably get confused by the wording and complain that the sentence lacked a verb or didn’t have the comma in the right spot and the teacher would give me one of those looks that said, “watch it mister.” Ha, ha. Wishing you a Happy Birthday Wynne, hope you have a wonderful day and upcoming year. 😎😎😎😎

    Liked by 3 people

  11. Your answer to the Zach word problem is probably why I struggled with those in math class. I prefer – by a mile – your whole-hearted answer! Hugs — yes! 🥰

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Oh, that’s a great answer, Elizabeth! And think of how ineffective sun dials would be in Seattle. 🙂 We’d spend whole months not knowing what time it is… 🙂 Thanks for the bday wishes!

      Liked by 2 people

      1. That’s too funny about the sun dials. I thought of it because the little town next to us called Carefree boasts the “World’s Largest Sun Dial” in the city square (which is really a circle).

        Liked by 1 person

  15. happy birthday! This post is wonderful and the cherry is the cover picture. I couldn’t stop laughing (by the way, also my eyes leak when I laugh 😂 and as there is an emoji it should be rather common!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. You are right about the emoji. That’s right – maybe we are all leaking a bit. I’m so glad you mentioned the cover picture. We drove by that the other day and I haven’t stopping giggling about it. Thanks, Cristiana!

      Like

  16. Happy birthday and cheesecake wishes Wynne. May your perspective grow for a very very long time yet.

    My daughter often comments on my leaky eyes but it’s just the way I was built, and sometimes the words fail.

    Liked by 2 people

  18. Happy birthday, Wynne.
    Lovely post.
    I love these lines, “There are people, things, dreams, and abilities that hurt so much when they go. But the heart has no hands to hang on to them.”
    Love

    Liked by 2 people

  21. Happy Birthday Wynne! Yes, time flows like water!

    Like you, I struggled with the quote below, the word break just jarred my senses years ago, I had already felt too broken, but later I realized that it wasn’t in the same sense that my mind rebelled against! Learning to become open and not to resist changing and changes was an acquired skill!

    “God breaks the heart again and again and again until it stays open.”-Hazrat Inayat KhanWhen I first met that quote, it was like almost everything else that has become my teacher. I thought, “No, no, no.”But time has shown it is less about heart break and more about giving up control.

    Liked by 2 people

  23. “Laughter, perspective, and heart”—I love these, and they sum up a perfectly and well-lived life. Sometimes the heart needs to be softened in order to see things clearly. Happy Birthday, Wynne, and I’ll tell you that life is awesome after 50.

    Liked by 2 people

  24. I think time was around when I was a kid, Wynne. It was admittedly a long time ago, that much is true. Congrats on ringing up another year and all the best for the “new” one…one filled up with lots of heart.🙂

    Liked by 2 people

  27. First, that photo is hilarious, and so true. I love Miss O “time” problem and will be using it this summer . Perhaps even handing out prizes (snacks) for those who are prompt. Being on time is a life skill in boundaries and respect, but I will also keep to my 15-minute grace period, because what is life without grace?

    Liked by 1 person

  28. It sounds like a fabulous birthday celebration, sending you good wishes for the coming year, and let’s hope all our our math skills arrive at the same answer, “that the heart has no hands to hang on to.” This life is so incredible, makes my eyes water when I laugh too. Hugs, C

    Liked by 1 person

  30. Pingback: The Fullness of Time – RA struggle is real

Comments are closed.