GIVE ME FOUR MINUTES
Tuesday Dec. 17, 2013
This might be your first Christmas, or your second. Or your last, or second to last. Don’t be so busy that you miss this.
Bears miss this. Migratory birds miss it to. Worth your while, to stop awhile – share a smile with me awhile, without time to press you or schedule to mess you . . .
Take a break from the boss – just for a minute. Forget hype, forget mall-ing of us all, forget region or faith, forget the melding of winter and celebration – not completely, but for a minute. Just forget the buzz, hype, speed – forget the greed, forget the need. Forget the speed of it all, the tumult of it all.
Forget the need to close off the year, do the books or finish the budget. Stop the hunt for the new job. Stop cleaning out your desk from the old one.
Stop.
Heaving, sighs. Heaving things, whatever works for calves and thighs, leaving behind tasks of every size – just for a minute.
Join me, just for minute. Please. Not just for me. For you.
Stop. Take a breath. Take a breather.
This won’t take any longer than a refill of your coffee, to sit, to think a minute.
Deep breath. Another. Another. Heavy sigh.
OK, now you’re ready. Take these moments to read this – enjoy its flavour or just do me a favour – do this, just stop, pause, breathe, and read on my friends:
Why we do it is complex for everyone. Whether your explanations are as sappy as ‘peace on earth’, ‘goodwill to all men’ or ‘just another profit opportunity for Hallmark’ , take a minute, spare a minute, be with me a minute . . .
There is a reason for this season.
Before there were people, there were winter snows.
Not always ice-ages, but winter – sandwiched between autumn and spring.
There were no carol singers, no twinkling lights, no decorated trees.
Just trees, just daylight, just moonlight, just quiet.
Not silence, but subdued sounds of creeks that still run, animals talking and wind blowing – just that.
Those sounds.
Rabbits.
Making tracks.
Mice under snow, birds squabbling over food or gossiping about whose kids flew the nest, about who was able to get away, to go south for the winter.
There is a reasoning, I believe, for the word seasoning – most of all, at this time of year.
Add whatever you want – avoid whatever you want to avoid – but don’t miss this, don’t miss out on this moment in time.
That is all we have.
Ever.
It is all the birds and bears had, ever.
More than anything, we can realize we are nothing but a spot of humanity at a moment in time – unnoticed by all that is around us, and far too often what is around us isn’t noticed by us because we are too busy being busy, to rushed in our rushing, not observant in our observation, listening without hearing.
Life makes sounds, however softly.
Death, makes none.
Live, breath, see, hear, feel and smell what is around you. Perhaps you could add a condiment or seasoning – but there is nothing as pure as a moment.
When you take one.
So tasty, and pure, so delicious I’m sure, won’t stick to your ribs or your belly – it’s more of an invisible force, one you don’t have to wait for.
It is here, right here, every minute – especially this one.
Mark Kolke
200,488
column written/ published from Calgary
morning walk: 5C / 41F, mountains of snow are slumping, streets are a slurry or brown-sugarish slop and tree branches are heavy, as if bowing to earth. Air is thick with humidity – so fresh, Gusta soggy but loving it …
Comments Received:
As long as there's time, attitude, hope and meaning should take care of life's serious challenges. Be safe, AG, Playa del Carmen, Mex, (sent from British Columbia)
Not very often do I wax theological, but I am compelled to do so in response to your musings about Gary and death. I look at life on this earth as a passing through phase, a journey I must take to get to where I am destined to be because of my beliefs. Death is not an ending; rather it is a beginning of my homecoming. Rather than a dreary funeral service I have requested a celebration of life. I have many things to celebrate about this journey through life and I want those who hold me dear to celebrate those experiences we shared and the love we hold dear to our hearts. It is a positive way of looking at things and whatever or whomever I have left to reconcile with, I am in the process of making amends during these trying times ahead. I wish you the Merriest of Christmases and please look at the time you have had with Gary and your family and friends as a most precious gift. GW, Brady, Tx.
Hi Mark – Sorry we missed your call. Next time you are planning to come to Edmonton, let us know in advance before you hit the road. J Merry Christmas to you and your Dad, Susan #3 (a.k.a. S.A.), Edmonton, AB
