It was a purchase made years ago, fading now like wallpaper into the background. At the time, my father was diagnosed with Alzheimer's and my parents' dream of a retirement filled with family, friends, and exploring the world was obliterated.
Much has happened in the years the plaque has hung above a doorway in my home, even relocating with us as we changed states. As a silent witness to loss and joy and life's evolving changes, the words "It is later than you think" have served me well. It's a reminder there are no promised tomorrows, no time like the present to heed my dreams, and no magical solution offering immunity from the ever-ticking clock of life.
Several years ago, I was fortunate to hear Christopher Reeve speak in Philadelphia. When I see the plaque's message, I also hear Reeve's words. "All time is sacred time," he said. A soft nudging from my inner voice punctuates the message with: "use it well."
More and more I'm realizing it's not just my time that's limited, it's other people's too. People I care about; people who have made a difference in my life. Off and on for years I floated a thought that it would be nice, someday, to track down my eighth grade social studies teacher and thank him for believing in me and planting seeds of possibility that I could become a writer. Without his words, would that dream have ever sprouted?
Why hadn't I sent that note of gratitude to a long ago boss who had mentored me? What was stopping me from reestablishing communication with a friend I was missing in my life? Or telling an ex-staff member how mistaken I'd been about her? Using the proverbial "someday I'll do it," I let those thoughts pass at the time.
But these days, I no longer wait for someday. I've sent those messages and many like them. I aspire to the gift-giving philosophy a colleague gave me when she thanked me for being an influence in her life. Her message brought tears to my eyes and nourished my soul. "It's my way of giving flowers," she said. "I was raised to give a person their flowers while they're still living."
None of us know the impact we've had on another's life unless someone tells us. I can think of no better gift than flowers of thanks sculptured in our words of gratitude. In the scheme of things, I know I have lots more word-flowers to give. I also know I will never have more time than I do right now to give them.
(c) 2008 Nan S. Russell. All Rights Reserved.Nan S. Russell is the author of "Hitting Your Stride: Your Work, Your Way." More about Nan and her work can be found at www.nanrussell.com. Author of "Hitting Your Stride: Your Work, Your Way" (Capital Books; January 2008) Sign up to receive Nan's free monthly eColumn at: www.intheschemeofthings.com.
