The month of August swept past in such a hurry that I
almost
missed it. It's sobering to realize how swiftly life slips away, and what a
short time we have on this earth. It's deceptive, you see. When we start out on
our journey as children, minutes are hours and hours are days. Do you remember
how long it took to turn six? And it seemed you were eight forever. I
remember when I finally turned nine, it was like changing my name. I was so used
to being eight that I had begun to think I would always be eight.
"Yes, my name is Brooke and I'm eight years old."
Then somewhere in the teens, time started picking up speed.
Suddenly I was hurtling toward adulthood at breakneck speed. Each year that
passes seems half as long as the year before. And from what I've heard, it
doesn't ever slow down, ever. It just keeps going faster.
Have
you ever noticed that certain events stand out in your memory? And not just
the important ones. The oddest assortment of moments and events will stay with
you forever. They're like little samples of life, taken at random and stowed
away in your heart.
It makes you wonder: will you always remember this moment? Or
will it be filed in your temp folder and lost forever, along with countless
other uneventful moments? How much of life is lost in that way?
It has been said that we should live each moment to the
fullest, as though it was your last day on earth. I remind myself of that
every now and then. It has been one of my goals to make each day count, and
realize that one's character is not made up so much of the big occasions and
stirring events, but of all those little moments in between.
It's
making honorable choices when no one is looking. It's doing the right thing
when nobody cares one way or another. It's living virtuously through the
inglorious drudgery of everyday life. Yes, that is worth striving for. And
chances are, when those random samples of life are stowed away in your lasting
memories, they'll be worth reflecting upon.
Godspeed,
Brooke Revere
