The Commodity of Time
Let’s make the most of a summer’s evening before being called in to supper, and then pretty much straight to bed
Do I have time to gather a few more branches? Is this really a tree fort– this floor plan on the ground?
Need more time—
Finding something to help me procrastinate before studying for an exam
I can grab a snack, visit a friend, go for a run?
Pull an all-nighter? It will be fine, right?
Need more time—
So tired from making lunches, pressing dress clothes, negotiating bedtime to squeeze in one more load of laundry
Can I stay awake long enough to dry and fold?
Need more time—
Trying to prepare a family dinner, volunteering at the shelter, attending exercise classes
I am busier not working than when I endured a ritual routine
Can’t fit it all in
Can’t say no
Must be the “sucker” label pinned to my forehead
Need more time—
Sweet wife takes extreme care of her infirm husband, giving him the best quality of life that she can muster
Soiled bedding every morning
Laundry, carpet shampooing, an evil chore
Sundowner’s syndrome prevents this care giver from any good sleep
Cat naps, the only reprieve
The only rest she can afford
Deprivation mounts to pure exhaustion
If only he could talk, reflect, enjoy some sun on his face
If only she had a break, a nutritious meal outside the kitchen
Need more time—
Sitting with my favorite Uncle, I wish he could engage, reminisce times passed
Trail rides, picnics, fishing with his brother–doing things all close brothers do
I wish we had spent more time building more memories
Time is up—
He lingers
I know he doesn’t want to be this way
His goal is for a dignified end, not this
In the end,
Families want to enjoy each other for as long as possible if the quality of life is still present
When the unspeakable happens, we all just need more time, the most precious commodity
The child wants to play more
The student wants to party more
The wife wants to sleep more
The retiree wants to give more
The care giver wants a fast, painless ending more
The dementia patient wants to be fed more
–Need More Time–
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