If you knew for certain that something bad was going to happen…if a missile was heading this way… if the doctor told you that you had only a little time left…would you try and squeeze in a trip to Disneyland? Would you plan a complicated vacation? Would you get everyone together for a matching family photo?
No, probably not.
The end of the world is a terrible thought to consider but also very clarifying. Because it reminds us once again of how silly the distinction of “quality time” really is. How indulgent and pretentious it really is. All time is quality time (as we say in this helpful reminder worth carrying with you). And in fact, in the light of real tragedy, even the most mundane and ordinary things can become meaningful and wonderful.
In the haunting lyrics to the song “As The World Caves In,” Matt Maltese sings about how with extinction looming, “I pull your arms right in, I weep and say goodnight, love.” That’s what we would do if we knew we had only a little time left. We’d sit on the couch together. We’d say what we should have said a long time ago. We’d also say some pretty simple and basic things—those things it’s impossible to say enough. We would be scared, but also we would be fully present. We’d take those minutes and seconds for all that they were worth—the same chunks of time we had previously rushed through and taken for granted.
Mostly, we would just be. We would be together. We would be present.
For as long as we had left. And we’d be grateful for every bit of it.
P.S. While we can’t stop bad things from happening in the world, we can practice more gratitude for the simple and basic moments we have with our children. It’s why we created the Tempus Fugit medallion (Tempus Fugit translates to “Time Flies,” by the way) as a useful reminder to slow down and stay more in the moment while we still can. Grab oneto carry around with you at the Daily Dad store today!
