Tuesday, January 9, 2007

Life Time

Time is relative. At least perceptually. Some events happen so fast we don’t even think about their occurence, such as light streaming out from bulb to wall when we flick on a light switch. Other events are so slow as to be imperceptible within human lifetimes. Such as any event that is measured in geologic time, like orogeny.

The watching of analog clocks (bereft of second hands) occupies an interesting place between these poles. It is difficult to perceive the instantaneous moving of the minute hand, yet if we watch it for a while, it becomes clear that the hand has moved.

Lately I’ve been writing that my dad generally has been of surprisingly good health, allowing for the occasional ‘bad day’. But it was only this morning that I realized that he is declining. He is a little slower, a little weaker. It’s impossible to see day–by–day but, in retrospect, enough change has occurred to be undeniable.

Tick. Tick. Tick.

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