In the Blink of an Eye

On finding meaning in the face of time

First published on December 14, 2022 under the title A Reason for the Season.

The holiday season surprised me this year. My eldest daughter returns from college tonight, as I will pick her up from the ferry after dropping off my youngest at dress rehearsal for the musical Into the Woods which opens tomorrow night. She also finishes her first fall term at her new school on Friday. With my eldest daughter’s arrival, I’ve realized we are entering “the season.”

I am not ready, not even close.

It’s like I blinked and summer became mid-December. I don’t know what happened to the fall because it would appear I missed it.

It’s not that I haven’t thought of gifts or ordered anything or made a list based on wishes and requests. It’s not that at all, although I do feel somewhat distant from all the preparations even as my daughters excitedly express how great it will be to “do nothing.”

Sigh.

Anyone who’s a mom knows what “doing nothing” means. It is anything but for parents who are Santa’s dutiful el…