My grandfather passed away this week and he was the last of my grandparents to pass away. I found myself after his passing walking down memory lane, where some moments resurfaced quite quickly , others popped up I had forgotten about, hidden away in the corners of our minds like treasures in an attic.
Reflecting on the memories of my grandfather felt like I was watching a quick Instagram reel rather than a long lifetime movie. The reflection of his life seem to pass by in a flash, highlighting how fleeting and precious our time on this Earth truly is. As I found myself getting a twinge of anxiety at how quickly time appeared to be slipping away, a wave of nostalgia washed over me, bringing to mind the beloved childhood book Tuck Everlasting.
If you've never read the book, let me paint you a quick picture. A girl stumbles upon an immortal boy and his family, sparking an unlikely friendship. As their bond deepens, they offer her a sip of their enchanted water, promising eternal life. As I reflected on that movie, it brought to mind the universal attraction with the idea of immortality and invincibility that we all entertain at some point in our lives. There's a certain magic in feeling untouchable, especially during the carefree days of youth.
As I pondered of aging and the fleeting nature of time, a curious thought crossed my mind that as we mature, do we sometimes catch fleeting glimpses of our own immortality once again? As a I am only 36-year-old, and God williing I have much more life to live, and havent expierienced that sense of latching back to immortality. Experiencing the passing of my grandfather and his time in hospice. Despite the sadness, I found a sense of reassurance in believing that God orchestrates the end of our chapters in a beautiful way.
The notion of eternal youth and the inevitability of aging, I can't help but imagine a life where time has no hold on our physical selves. The idea of witnessing the gradual transformation of our bodies, our wisdom wrinkles and worn knees, prompts a moment of reflection on the beauty of embracing each passing stage of existence. It dawned on me that letting go and accepting the next chapter in life may indeed be challenging if we were to remain perpetually unchanged. I think too, we all at some point feel a sense of contentment in recognizing to that we have obtained all that was meant for us to learn and love in this lifetime, similar to the peaceful transition felt when retiring from a lifelong career.
It becomes evident that while we may not possess the everlasting life experienced by the Tuck family, there is a peaceful assurance in a complete set of events of our existence. Our creator orchestrates each transition flawlessly, leading us from one phase to the next with a timeless grace. Life on earth serves as a temporary gift, offering us opportunities to learn, age, and ultimately peace in letting go. As we embrace the knowledge and peace we acquire through our earthly journey, we are gently guided towards the everlasting life that patiently awaits us.
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