Original Thoughts?
I am frequently amazed how quickly time seems to fly by the older I get. I understand this is an illusion caused by the fact that each day that passes becomes a smaller percentage of my overall life. Most people eventually have the same realization. It’s hardly an original idea.
But things like this get me thinking, do I have any original thoughts? Is it even possible? Mark Twain said, “Adam was the only man who, when he said a good thing, knew that nobody had said it before him.”
Nowadays, I routinely think to myself, “Wow, I sound just like Dad.” or “That’s exactly how Dad would’ve done it.” Are most of my thoughts recycled, handed down by my dad?
Recently I was visiting my parents and helping my mother measure and center some wording on a piece of art she was painting. The way I quickly and correctly judged the spacing prompted her to comment, “Your brain is just like your father’s.”
I grew up helping him with construction projects. Now, when I do my own projects, I can see the entire thing form in my head. How will the foundation and the walls be built? Where will the fasteners be placed? The wiring, the interior, the roof, all of it snaps into place inside my head. I’m certain that’s how it is for Dad too.
I wonder about other aspects of life though, things not often shared with or witnessed by a son. Do I love my wife and have the same types of feelings that he’s felt and still feels for my mother. Is he happy with where his life took him, where he settled and raised a family? When he finishes a project, does he stand back and stare at it with pride and satisfaction, sometimes for several minutes in silence and think to himself, “I did that”? Does he strive to make his wife proud of him? Did he hope that his parents were proud of him?
These are things that I have pondered about in my own life. These are things upon which we could compare notes, if the subjects were to come up.
But will those subjects ever come up? Probably not. Some things, to both of us, are just too personal to bring up and feel awkward to discuss. But, because “my brain is exactly like my father’s”, I have an idea that many of his thoughts and feelings would be similar. He’s had a good life and is likely as happy as I am with almost everything I have done.
I suspect the shortcut to discovering my future thoughts exists for me. I can watch as my father ages and observe his reactions to it.
From everything I’ve seen so far, I think I will stay active as long as possible. I think I will always have a project to complete. I think I will become increasingly frustrated with the latest technology that is supposed to make my life easier. I think I will fear losing and ferociously fight to keep my independence. I think I will face the increasing health issues that will undoubtedly arise with determination. I think I will make time for myself and enjoy the things that bring me happiness. I think I will tell my children and grandchildren I love them every chance I get.
I’m glad that my brain is just like my father’s. I know that I am fortunate to have had his example to follow. Not everything needs to be spoken between us. I can tell how much I mean to him with every hug or every salutation that ends a phone call. And I’m confident he knows too.
It’s true. Time really flies, the older I get. But that’s not something to fear. I’ll just make the most of every day, as my father does, despite its increasingly small percentage of my life. And I’ll enjoy all the “unoriginal”, but precious thoughts that pass through my head.
