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Tick-tock, tick-tock, tick-tock, tick-tock… …
I sit alone in the corner of a room, mindful of the passing
seconds. Three months from now I will be 57; a year of existence for each of
the Heinz varieties. Well past my half century, 8 years from ‘pensioner’ status,
41 years beyond the age of legal consent for sexual shenanigans.
Tick-tock, tick-tock, tick-tock… …
I’ve always had an aversion to time. Relentless, taunting
clocks spewing out their unsettling messages each time you glance into their
faces: another hour of humiliation to endure in the school woodwork class at
the mercy of a sadistic teacher; 45 minutes beyond the scheduled meeting time
at the bus-stop confirms she’s stood me up; only 10 minutes remaining in the
History exam and I’ve yet to start the final question; 11 hours into my wife’s
torturous labour and no sign of my son’s head.
Tick-tock, tick-tock… …
Yesterday I learnt of the sudden death of a longstanding friend.
He was my age – seven months younger, actually. Fifty-two-years ago we sat,
side-by-side, in the infant class on our first day at school, flushed pink with
a combination of excitement and fear. Yet now he's gone, and each tick and tock proclaims I, too,
am one second closer to nothingness, as Time inexorably inhales my juices,
drying me up, edging me closer to that arid shell on the mortuary slab.
Tick-tock.
Tick-tock.
AND THAT IS WHY … …
I will book the flight to visit my only brother in the
Bahamas, rather than just talking about it
Tick-tock, tick-tock… …
I will start to write that block-buster novel I’ve been pondering
on for over a decade
Tick-tock, tick-tock, tick-tock… …
I will invite my wonderful son over for a couple of bottles
of Abbott’s ale while we listen to, and discuss, our favourite music. And take
my beautiful daughter to a Mexican restaurant to catch up on her university
experiences while imbibing chicken fajitas and a cool drop of Corona Extra
Tick-tock, tick-tock, tick-tock, tick-tock… …
And tonight I’ll surprise Mrs Jones by preparing a meal of
fillet steak, swilled down with a Spanish Rioja. We’ll talk, and reminisce,
about our 34 joyful years together. After which I’ll lift my lady off her feet
– a (little) bit like the iconic scene from An Officer and a Gentleman – carry
her to bed, and pound her into multiple-orgasmic ecstasy. (Okay, just one
orgasm, if I’m on form – and my lumbago doesn’t flare up while I’m in full
piston-like flow – but it will be high quality).
Because, after all, we need to grasp each fucking tick and
each fucking tock as if it’s our last.
***we need to grasp each fucking tick and each fucking tock as if it’s our last.**
ReplyDeleteA GREAT quote. I shall shade in vivid yellow.
A memorable blog post, darling.
Cheers to Mrs. Jones!!!!!
Thank you, Kim. Glad you liked the last line.
DeleteAMEN!!! Well said and I hope you do everything you listed and much more. Life is for the living. That famous line in the movie Shawshank Redemption gets me every time. "Get busy living or get busy dying"
ReplyDeleteYes, we all should grab the moment and live in the present.
DeleteHear, hear! Gotta grab life by the balls (do with that statement what you will) and really live it. It really does go by awfully quickly.
ReplyDeleteMay your friend rest well. :(
My sentiment entirely, Pam. I appreciate your interest and taking the time to comment.
DeleteAs a rule, I never put off pleasure because life is uncertain at best. Glad you're making these important things happen. Take care.
ReplyDeleteYes, focus on the present and live it to the full is a sound message. As always, your interest is appreciated.
DeleteIf you're still talking about it, it means you're a survivor. Have you seen the latest bonking harnesses? They sound like a godsend for someone with back problems!
ReplyDeleteBonking harnesses? Where can I get one?
ReplyDeleteMan, good to hear you're drawing positive lessons from your melancholy musings. Live now instead of later...or something profound like that!
ReplyDeleteTruly sorry to hear about your friend.
Daniel - thank you as always for your ongoing interest. The deaths of people in one's age bracket is a sobering experience, reminding us of our own mortality. In our younger days we assume we'll live for ever. So the key message is: grab & live each moment to the full.
DeleteI love this post---it shows your poignant side and it's beautiful. So sorry for the loss of your friend. <>
ReplyDeleteWell, thank you Marcia. I do have a tender, sensitive side, it's just hard to find sometimes.
DeleteAs I approach 50 (in September), I am trying to worry less, and in general think less, and act more, especially in activities that make me and the people close to me happy. I'm still stumbling toward living more habitually this way, and I'll use this post as further motivation.
ReplyDeleteSorry for your loss, always tough to lose anyone particularly a contemporary.
I'm pleased my ramblings resonated with you. I wish you continued success in your efforts to act in ways that evoke happiness for you and your loved ones.
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