Don't Blink
Life. It all happens so fast, doesn't it?
My little o'hana and I are preparing for an adventure of a lifetime, but before we leave we must pack up our house and dig deep into boxes filled with dusty memories and long forgotten things. It has been a bittersweet task and as I come across baby blankets, yearbooks, and teddy bears I am reminded that time is not our friend.
I remember thinking when I was 10 years old that people in their 40's were so OLD! ...and yet here I sit thinking I'm not old at all - but where in the hell did the time go? So much has happened in my life and it feels like one of those flip books. You know the ones that you flip and the story moves really fast. If you blink you will miss most of the story in that book, flipping by faster than your eye can keep up. Don't blink.
I grew up in probably the best neighborhood in the entire world. It was a new community and very small. Our main road was a dirt road that took us to the grocery store and the mall. We didn't live in the country, but we did live in a growing community that at the time was the fastest growing county in Colorado. The kids I grew up with I also graduated with. We were the ones that did death defying sledding jumps down a giant hill at the park across from our school - right into traffic. Nobody ever died that I know of. Ha!
Our elementary school principal use to bring his horse once a month to reward students for certain achievements. Our logo was a green panther. Yes, we were certainly different. To me it feels like yesterday. I can remember field day and the one time I won first place in the 800 yard dash. I remember being bullied by two girls, one of which I always thought looked like Nellie Olson from Little House on the Prairie. I also remember walking home in blizzard conditions because school was canceled. Kids falling over the place in the snow because their "moon boots" were coming off.
I think I blinked.
After high school graduation we all went our separate ways. Some started families early, others went off chasing their crazy dreams, and a few sadly passed away. Our 20 year high school graduation was a reminder that we had all grown up and no longer needed to belong to a particular circle of friends. ...and then from there we just sorta floated further away, deeper into our lives and our children - and for some now - grandchildren.
It has seriously flown by in a blink of an eye. Just like the Kenny Chesney song says, "Don't blink."
We don't have forever and yet we often live like we do. We tend to think we can wait until the pain goes away to call that person we still love and apologize, or that we have all the time in the world to spend time with someone we miss. The truth is that we don't. Time goes by way too fast and when it finally catches up with you it may be too late.
As Chesney's song says, "Best start putting first things first 'cause when your hourglass runs out of sand you can't flip it over and start again. Take every breathe God gives you for what it's worth."
Wherever you are in life, whatever age you are - please don't miss the opportunity to make every minute count. If you are running from pain it's time to confront it. If you're turning your back on someone because you don't know what to say, send a message saying you're thinking of them. How will you feel if you blink and that person is gone? My advice? Don't blink.
Lyrics to "Don't Blink" by Kenny Chesney
I turned on the evening news Saw a old man being interviewed Turning a hundred and two today Asked him what's the secret to life He looked up from his old pipe Laughed and said "All I can say is"
Don't blink
Just like that you're six years old and you take a nap and you Wake up and you're twenty-five and your high school sweetheart becomes your wife Don't blink
You just might miss your babies growing like mine did Turning into moms and dads next thing you know your "better half" Of fifty years is there in bed And you're praying God takes you instead Trust me friend a hundred years goes faster than you think So don't blink
I was glued to my TV when it looked like he looked at me and said "Best start putting first things first" Cause when your hourglass runs out of sand You can't flip it over and start again Take every breathe God gives you for what it's worth
Don't blink
Just like that you're six years old and you take a nap and you Wake up and you're twenty-five and your high school sweetheart becomes your wife Don't blink
You just might miss your babies growing like mine did Turning into moms and dads next thing you know your "better half" Of fifty years is there in bed And you're praying God takes you instead Trust me friend a hundred years goes faster than you think So don't blink
So I've been tryin' to slow it down I've been tryin' to take it in In this here today, gone tomorrow world we're livin' in
Don't blink
Just like that you're six years old and you take a nap and you Wake up and you're twenty-five and your high school sweetheart becomes your wife Don't blink
You just might miss your babies growing like mine did Turning into moms and dads next thing you know your "better half" Of fifty years is there in bed And you're praying God takes you instead Trust me friend a hundred years goes faster than you think
So don't blink
Naw, don't blink Life goes faster than you think
My children in 2004. I wonder if they realize how fast their lives are flying by?