Time in a Bubble

Do you remember when you were a child and having the best time with the super soapy water that comes in the plastic bottles in fun colors? Sure, you remember, after opening the lid, inside is a plastic stick with a hole; you dip the stick and then blow through the hole to create a line of bubbles of all different sizes. Of course, I remember competing with my cousins to see who could blow the biggest bubble before it popped! Then, we would chase the bubbles all around the yard, trying to catch them again before they popped. Today, life feels a little bit like the scenario of blowing and chasing bubbles.

Time goes by, exponentially faster the older we grow. Now, before you remind me that twenty-four hours in a day has not changed since the beginning of time, like the story about the bubbles, if you are over thirty years old, you understand my meaning. Sometimes I remember an episode in my life and think, this feels like just yesterday, when in fact, it is something that happened fifty years ago! Trying to make sense of thoughts like this is like running around trying to catch bubbles before they pop. The real question, how do we reconcile in our mind and heart emotion that plays with the reality and passing of time?

The walls throughout my house have photographs of my grandchildren from the time they were born until the present. For anyone who might see the pictures who doesn’t know my family may think I have lots of grandchildren, when, in fact, I have four. The images capture each of the children at the different stages of them growing up. When I look at the pictures, I am chasing the memories that are vivid to me; however, today’s memory is yesterday’s reality. We have come full circle with the question, “how do we reconcile the passing of time?” Living each day, “intentionally” is a great place to start.

After my husband, Richard, passed away, I began chasing after every memory we shared because he could not remind me of the things I did not want to forget, especially now. Some of the memory “bubbles” have already popped and cannot be retrieved. Other memories are of such a personal nature, that when I leave this world, the “bubble” will disappear. Instead of getting lost in the remembrance, instilling a feeling of joy and, perhaps, a little melancholy, why not close our eyes, whispering a word of thanks? If we live long enough, we each will create a “long line of bubbles.” As we chase them, let’s have fun, not seeing them as lost opportunities, rather having participated in their existence.

Today, we have so many chances with technology to preserve events for future generations to enjoy. Take lots of photos of your friends and loved ones. Take a “selfie or two!” Enjoy every moment and be thankful for having been here to “blow a few bubbles.”