The Meaningful Time

The Meaningful Time Gracie L. Reitzig Prologue One day, Time glanced down from the heavens upon earth, the world of humans. It saw everything, yet understood nothing. With all of the knowledge it possessed, Time tried to fathom what life would be like. What would it be like to live, to be born, to feel, to love, and to die? What emotion would life enkindle? Would it hurt or feel sad? Or would life bring happiness and be filled with meaning? Meaning. That word echoed in Time’s mind. What is my meaning? Thought Time. Humans live with meaning. With a purpose to their short existence. They evolve. Time existed with nothing. It did not evolve. It was just there. To be known, yet acknowledged by no one. To be loved by no one. And so Time went to God and made a wish. “I wish for meaning,” Time whispered into the abyss, which was God. God replied back, “Meaning?” “Yes, I am without meaning. I desire to experience this feeling that all humans know.” “I created you with a purpose,” Spoke God. “With meaning, but I can see that you do not understand and must find meaning for yourself. You shall take on the life of a human and find what you seek. But be warned, this shape is not forever and on the second day you must return to Me. If, when the days are up, and you do not return, there will be devastating ramification.” Then Time fell into a deep slumber. Chapter I I crack open my eyes and tried to shield my face from the scorching sunlight. Wait. Hands? I have hands! Two of them at that. I quickly glance down at the ground and notice that I have a very solid human body. I am human? What is going on? Then I hear a whisper. A voice that reminds me, Find what you seek and return to Me. Everything suddenly comes back to me. I am Time and I made a wish to find meaning. A sudden rush of sadness fills me as I realize that I do not know what my purpose is. But that is why I am here. To find my purpose. With hope blooming in my heart I stand up on wobbly legs and try to figure out my bearings. Judging by the position of the sun, it is late in the afternoon. I am standing in the shade under a tree in what appears to be a park. A park filled with so many humans. After coming to that conclusion I notice something else. I can hear sounds. Something that I have never heard. Actually I have never heard anything, as I have never had ears before. Children are everywhere making all sorts of noise around me. Some are playing and laughing having a fun time. Others are screaming and crying in a rage. Adults are shouting at their kids. Be nice. Be careful. Do this. Don’t do this. Then there are humans in cars cursing at each other and honking horns. It is exciting to be able to hear, but everything is so loud, the sounds are becoming unpleasant and are causing something to form in my head. I am certainly not jumping up for joy. I am surrounded by humans who cannot seem to keep quiet. Can’t they realize my newly acquired head is about to explode in pain? Looking around I wonder how I will find my meaning. I am overwhelmed by questions. Where am I? Why did I wake up in a park? Why this particular time of day? What do I do now? No answers were forth coming. Just as I am about to scream out with frustration, a boy starts walking in my general direction. Oh, no. I thought. You better not be coming my way. Turn away. I don’t want to talk to you. Heck, I do not even know if I can speak. The boy keeps walking to me and it is now obvious he wants to talk no matter how loud I scream in my head to go away. I have to talk to humans someday, so why not sooner rather than later. Starting with this kid. I quickly begin to work on my vocal cords. “Hey.” No, no. Too raspy. I sound like I have never talked before. Which I have not. But no one has to know that. “Hello.” Better. If I am trying to sound like I am dying. All I have to do is sound human. Should not be too hard. At least I look the part. I think. The boy is close. I have ten seconds tops to sound plausible. One more time. They say third times the charm. Let’s see if human superstition works. “Hi.” Wow, I am impressed! I sound like a nature born human. Third time really is good luck. As the boy approaches, I open my mouth and pray to God that I am convincing. Unfortunately, all that comes out is an undignified, “Ah.” What just came out of my mouth? I try to say a simple word of greeting and ‘ah’ comes out. I sound and probably look like a complete simpleton. I guess fourth time is unlucky. I am mortified. I can feel a hot, embarrassing blush crawl to my cheeks. “Hey Abby.” The boy grins revealing two dimples. That grin creates a funny feeling in me. Like I have seen it before. My vision goes blurry for a second and I am no longer at the park. I am standing in the front yard of a very nice home and the boy is there with me. He does not look much different than he is now, so this event must have happened recently. I can tell it has been raining, as there are water puddles everywhere. Suddenly, the boy jumps into a big puddle and splashes me with water. I make a noise that is somewhere between a scream and a laugh. The boy turns around and flashes me the same cheeky grin I see now. The memory fades and I am again standing next to the boy in the park. I rapidly blink trying to clear my head. Interesting, so I know this boy and he knows me. No. No I am Time and one knows who I am. The boy knows who this person that my body belongs to is. Now the more pressing question is, who am I supposed to be? “Cat got your tongue?” The boy teases. “Ehhhhh…no,” I form my words slowly, “I am just…resting.” The boy begins to laugh. Why is the human boy laughing? Perhaps he thinks I was trying to tell a joke. Hmm…jokes make people laugh. Perhaps I’m a funny sort of person. Of all of the attributes a human can possess, humor is a rather nice one to have. “Yeah, I know. You have been napping for the past hour. You missed all the fun and excitement. It is too late now. Mom wants to get home. Come on.” The boy informs me. Right, of course I have a mom. A woman, who I believe is Mom, starts walking towards me and the boy. “Hey, I am so sorry I am late guys. Work kept me longer than I expected.” The woman says in a well-modulated voice. “That is ok. We understand,” the boy says. “I am glad you guys are good. Let’s get out of here. It is getting late and I want to get home before traffic really gets crazy.” “Ok, come on sis. Off we go,” says the boy, who is actually my brother and whose name I do not yet know. I let my brother and Mom lead, as I have no idea where to go. They lead me to a white car that says Prius on the side. We hop in and drive home. Wherever home may be. Chapter II “Did you two have fun at the park?” Inquires Mom, as we drive home. “Yeah, I hung out with my friends and we had a blast!” The words rushed out of Edward’s mouth, barely making any sense, “But Abby fell asleep and missed all the fun.” “Oh, did you have a good nap, honey?” Asks Mom. “It was nice…Mom.” I think that is a good answer. “That is good. You seem to be quite tired…” Buzz, buzz. The phone begins to ring and Mom picks it up. “Hello, this is Jo.” A reply is mumbled back. “Oh, hi Doctor Martin. No, I am feeling much better. I think the new meds are helping a lot.” Apparently Mom is sick with something. A quick image of Mom crying and saying that she does not want to die flashes through my head. Her illness must be serious, but I do not know what it is. I tune out the conversation and begin to take in my surroundings. We are driving through the city. People are everywhere. On the sidewalks and streets. Some are walking and others are driving. They are talking to each other or they are on the phone. City life never seems to slow down. Everything keeps bustling about and making noise. There are few vegetation around. Just several trees and plants here and there. Everything gives me a sense of déjà vu, yet it is all so new to me. The novelty of human life feels exhilarating. “Did you get wacked in the head or something sis? You are acting weird.

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