A Whisper Says...

Time has been slippery for awhile.

A sassy, funny friend, her laughter echoes round the corner. Down the street, across the room.

Okay first off, let's make something clear: I am well now. A cure was offered, my leg in exchange.

And yet...this whole mind bending experience changed both me and Time. Maybe forever, I really don't know. But Time looks different now, morphing and spinning and calling me an orphan of Past and Future.

Time used to be hard, stuck in her ways; she questions more now, less certain of some things...

...me too, me too...I whisper back to her. And I wonder if my sassy nonchalance to Time will come back, ever again.

If I will return to making demands, with a righteous belief that she owes me something.

For I thank Time now, every single morning.

Yes, through all my hours I bow to her and kiss the ground, saying thank you, thank you, thank you, my friend Time.

And she whispers back...now, now, now.

As her whisper echoes in my heart, I say yes, I understand more...because that tumor stole something. It snatched my certainty of tomorrow, my confidence in assumptions. It took away distractions, long used and relied upon - thrift shops and donuts, chocolate, red wine, gossip and running, not stopping.

Never, no stopping.

And when my tumor stopped me, plunking me down, it stole my immortality, that thing of grand illusion...

....and then Time changed her whole look, her style, her joie de vivre.

Out went brown slacks, in came jeweled wraps and hats. Because Time said....I can no longer play it safe...for living means being bold, with purpose, for all. Out went loafers, in came strappy sandals. For Time said...I must show more of myself, not hide any longer...for life means connection, even with risk to our hearts. And Time now wears glasses, with a simple explanation: I must see the world. There are sunsets, oceans with waves, and best of all...smiles on babies and old people too.

So I wake in the morning to my old friend, Time. She winks and heads out, calling over her shoulder...

Come on, lady....the world needs you.

And I rise up, put on earrings, a dab of perfume, follow her out the door. For yes, the world needs me...

...and you, too.

So out the door we go, all of us with Time.

We look behind, we look ahead, then we smile back to the babies with lopsided grins...

...and Time whispers...now, now, now.