Make the Most of Every Moment
Christopher Laney 
College has been a hot topic in our house. Two weeks ago, we moved TJ, our oldest, into the freshmen dorm at Elon University. He arrived well before the bulk of students so he could begin his new position as a videographer for the football team and its preseason camp. As we situated his dorm room with the stuff we’d carted up a flight of stairs, the seven year-old, Cort, asked in a matter-of-fact voice, “When do I get to live here?”
After the laughter dissipated, the inside of my chest twisted as I envisioned that future moment in time, an event hurling toward me with the speed of a white-hot meteor carving up the night sky. I hesitated to even blink my eyes, fearing I’d open them to find it was Cort we had dropped off instead of TJ. After all, it seems like only yesterday that TJ was seven.
Time’s ethereal nature derailed me again this weekend as we all traveled to Greenville, NC, home to East Carolina where I graduated from college. Susan had been asked to deliver a sample class to an area fitness center that was considering bringing on an additional program. Once I’d dropped her off on Saturday morning, I took the two younger boys around the campus to show them the school I’d attended. Their interest in college had been heightened from TJ’s new adventure.
As we watched the teenagers move into the old dorm I’d lived as a freshmen, it hit me I’d been doing the same thing exactly twenty-five years ago. At least that’s the answer I came up with when I subtracted the year I’d graduated high school from the current year. How could that be right? It felt like it should only be ten years ago. What happened to all the time in between? I don’t feel any different in body than that 18 year-old who moved in so long ago. But I do know I’m wiser now, and if I could have that time again, I would try more, do more, live more.
I’ve watched in disbelief as time has accelerated over the years, something most people in their forties and beyond will attest happens in disturbing surges, each one faster than the last. It’s downright alarming the way the future rushes toward you when you aren’t paying attention. Nothing can halt its building momentum, but there is something you can do to ease the brutal reality that all the time you think you have will disappear in a flash:
Make the most of every moment.
Reader Comments (10)
Simple and useful wisdom--often the best kind. Thanks for sharing your story.
The speed of life is amazing. We should strive to live with no missed opportunities.
Bad post. You made me feel old. ;)
I know how you feel Chris. Devon is getting maarried in APril 2011 and I am going thru the motions of preapring for this as if I am rehearsing a part in a play. When will it finally sink in that this is no dress rehearsal? My baby is getting married and I just watched her in her elemntary school play last week!!! Grab it all in and savor it all. On that thought I think I'll go to the beach and eat a big bowl of ice cream!! BTW I teach at Elon so tell TJ to take my class!!
Excellent post. Chris this one hit hard and very close to home. We moved Katie into NS State last weekend. Fastest 18 years of my life. I encourage you and your readers to savor John Mayer's "Stop This Train" as it complements this post.
Great thoughts for the day. There were times when I awoke and realized how old I was and thought someone was playing a terrible trick on me. I couldn't be that old! Where did the time go? Now I appreciate the moment and it's as if time stands still.
Chris, you have a way of distilling moments in your writing. And when you can bring a non-parent to the reflective state I've experienced since reading this, that's good writing! Thanks for the reminders.
Tis true. Time goes by faster every month it seems. Even the seasons flash by these days. We are looking at our 25 year high school reunion and there is no way it has been that long. It's also amazing how much smarter your parents become the older you get.
Great post Chris!! I also remember the day you moved into your dorm at ECU!! We do need to stop and enjoy all the moments...it will be John leaving before you know it.
It feels like both a blessing and a curse. It is after all our awareness of time passing that makes us appreciate the present.