Seven Degrees Left of Center

A notion of time

I didn't get a chance to sit down and write this weekend. Instead, my daughter's family visited and helped with some chores.

My 13-year-old grandson, KP, helped me trim some tree limbs and fix a gate to the backyard. He is at the age where knowing and understanding are not the same. An awesome age, if you asked me.

My older grandson helped me build the fence and gate 15 years ago. He was only two at the time. His help was more of standing there or playing in the dirt. However, my brain replayed the memory as if it was happening while the present time ticked normally.

KP asked me, "Are you time traveling?"

He told me he could tell because I talk slower. Apparently, according to him, I also "look through" people when it happens. But, he assured me that it didn't scare him. He was just curious if I knew I was time traveling.

I do know when it is happening. However, it isn't time traveling. I explained it is more like a notion of time. I know I am not really somewhere, somewhen else. But, I experience the emotions and actions that go with the event as if they are happening again. And, the current time is passing as well.

Then he asked, "When your eyes are watery, like you are going to cry. Is that a sad memory?"

Sometimes, but not this time. So, I told him the story of me and Jordan building the fence. A happy notion of time. With a happy tear to go with it.