Time, you old gypsy man
When I was in Grade 9 in 1959, we did a poem by Ralph Hodgson “Time, You Old Gypsy Man. These are some lines from it: Time you old gypsy man Will you not stay, Put up your caravan Just for one day? All things I’ll give you, Will you be my guest, Bells for your jennet Of silver the best, Goldsmiths shall beat you a great golden ring, Peacocks shall bow to you, Little boys sing. Sweet girls will Festoon you with may, Time, you old gypsy man, Why hasten away? It is the plaintive plea of the poet for time to stop. I had never given much thought to this poem and then before I knew it, winter time has a way of moving quickly and catching you unaware of the passing years.
Where has the time gone?
I just turned 79 on April 2. It seems just yesterday that I was young, just married and embarking on my new life with my wife. Yet in a way, it seems like such a long time ago. I wonder where all the years went. I have vivid memories of how it was back then and of all my hopes and dreams of making a difference in the lives of the children I taught at Cuvu College, But, here it is… the winter of my life and it catches me by surprise. How did I get here so fast? Is there any truth to the statement that once you turn 40, you are over the hill and it’s all downhill from there? This seems a rather depressing and bleak assessment of the second half of your life. .
It is all about mindset
An uncle of mine used to tell me, “Once you turn 50, one foot is already in the grave. Once you are 60, you are living on borrowed time.” We become what we think. He is just five years older than me but has been languishing in a convalescent home for the last ten years. Is this any way to spend the last years of your life? My father was bedridden for several years – physically healthy but a mental decrepit because of Alzheimer’s
And it makes me sad
I remember seeing older people through the years and thinking that those older people were years away from me and I could not imagine what it would be like to be that old. But, here it is…many of my friends are no more, others have retired long ago and getting grey. They move slower. Some are in better and some worse shape than me but I see the change. Not like the ones that I remember who were young and vibrant. .But, like me, their age is beginning to show and we are now those older folks that we used to see and never thought we’d be. Each day now, I find that just taking a walk is a real target for the day! And taking a nap is not a treat anymore. It’s mandatory! I just fall asleep where I sit! And at prayers at my friends ‘places – much to my wife’s embarrassment! And my eldest daughter or my granddaughters help me get out of the car when I visit them in the US – a loving gesture but nonetheless a stark reminder of my vulnerability, Now I enter into this new season of my life unprepared for all the aches and pains and the loss of strength and ability to go and do things that I wish I had done but never did!
The Light at the end of the tunnel
But, at least I know, that though the winter has come, and I’m not sure how long it will last – with the climate change and all – I know, that when it’s over on this earth. I would have left a good legacy behind. Yes, I have regrets. There are things I wish I hadn’t done…things I should have done, but indeed, there are many things I’m happy to have done. . So, if you’re not in your winter yet…let me remind you, that it will be here sooner than you think. So, whatever you would like to accomplish in your life, do it quickly! Life goes by quickly. So, do what you can today, as you can never be sure whether this is your last winter. There is no promise that you will see all the seasons of your life…so, live for today and say all the things that you want your loved ones to remember and hope that they appreciate and love you – thought I sometimes wonder about that – for all the things that you have done for them.
My vacant and pensive mood
I am not sure why I wrote this piece. Maybe this is what William Wordsworth meant when he said, “the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings recollected in tranquility” Or perhaps the little voice in my head that reminds me I won’t live for forever. Recently it has been getting louder – like my tinnitus. These days, I pick up a good book and lose myself in that “serene and blessed mood” Just last week I was reading a poem by Wordsworth. Here are a few lines from it… For oft, when on my couch I lie in vacant or in pensive mood, They flash upon that inward eye which is the bliss of solitude; And then my heart with pleasure fills, and dances with the daffodils
Does wisdom come with age?
I think so. My wife thinks so too. But she also thinks it did not happen in my case. Nonetheless, I would like to share some words of wisdom with you. They are not mine so maybe my wife is right – as always, “Life” is a gift to you. The way you live your life is your gift to those who come after. Make it a fantastic one. It’s Not What You Gather, But What You Scatter That Tells What Kind Of Life You Have Lived.”
• ARVIND MANI is a former teacher who is passionate about quality education. He lived in the US for 35 years and was actively involved in training youths to improve their speaking skills. The views expressed are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the views of this newspaper. He can be reached at theinspiredteacher9@ gmail.com
