Passing Thoughts on the Passing of Time

              In the midst of life we are in death. This is brought home to us when those known to us closely, pass away. Death is the only certainty in life.

            Today, there is the category of the aging population. A good percentage of the population is in this aging process and we continually hear of someone or other of this generation passing away. Undoubtedly they have lived their life; lived to a ripe old age, well pass the Biblical span of three score and ten and there should be no regrets. Nevertheless death inevitably leaves a heartache. Long – forgotten memories are awakened – nostalgic bitter – sweet memories. Bitter over the pain of parting and sweet for the fragrant, lingering memories left behind. Like the haunting strains that linger in the heart and mind long after the music is over – thankful for that music. We are never really parted so long as memories remain.

            Some of us encounter each other or one another, seasonally, periodically, after a lapse of time and on such memorable occasions the profound topic of death, invariably creeps into conversation, as all are necessarily in the departure lounge awaiting the great flight. Very often the parting words are “See you again God willing”. On one such occasion in the not too distant past a parting remark directed as me was “I wonder if and when we’ll meet again.” I was reminded of Bard’s quote “If we should meet again we shall but smile; if not this. Parting was well made” and it did after all turn out to be portentous. I am thankful however that quite unwittingly I made the parting in anticipation.

            How come we do not appreciate or at least show any recognition, sometimes even to the point of ignoring when people are alive but are haunted by memories when they are dead. This is the way of the world. The rush and fret and the fever of life leave us no time for such compliments or so we think.

            What is this life is full of care

            We have no time to stand and stare

            Little cherished incidents suddenly crop up from somewhere in the sub-conscious; they surface only then when people are dead. This leaves much food for thoughts and digestion.

            So this is the inevitable transience of life. But through it all permeates the promise of the Lord. “I am the Resurrection and the Life” and the words of Donne echo “Death where is thy sting? Death where is thy victory?” for the Lord has promised eternal life in the portals of the Lord for those who believe in Him.