The gift of time

I woke up this morning after a dream in which I was trying to figure out the perfect gift for a young couple who was getting married. In my dream, I believe the young woman was my daughter, and perhaps that is why finding the right gift felt so important.

I didn’t want to give her something from a registry.

I didn’t want to give her something that could simply be bought.

I wanted to give her something that might add value to her life.

And then I realized that what I really wanted to give her, and what I wish I could give all young people as they begin their lives, to all of us who are living right now, and even to those of us who are aging and becoming more aware of how much time we may or may not have left… is to truly appreciate time.

If I could leave anything with anyone, it would be the reminder of how precious time is, to notice it, savor it, and never take it for granted. That realization became this poem. 

The Gift of Time

If I could give you anything,

I would give you time.

Not more time, necessarily,

for none of us knows how much we are given,

and that is part of life.

Instead, I would give you the gift of noticing time,

and the reminder to appreciate it.

I would want to remind you to take time to

slow down.

To savor the ordinary.

To take pictures.

To make memories.

To sit a little longer

with the people you love.

Time to be present

for the birthdays,

the weddings,

the first breaths,

the last goodbyes,

and all the beautiful moments

in between.

Because time is a gift

we cannot buy,

cannot save,

and cannot promise more of.

So, if I could give you anything,

I would give you this:

the reminder to truly take in your life

while you are living it,

to cherish the time you have been given,

and to never take time for granted.

xo

Gabby