Khalil Gibran wrote, “We measure time according to the movement of countless suns; and they measure time by little machines in their little pockets. Now tell me how could we ever meet at the same place at the same time?”
changing tides
my restlessness has gone
time is at my side
© Chèvrefeuille
How true! We seem to always be focused on time. How fast we can get this done and that completed. When I am writing, I don’t measure my time but I do see that a whole day sometimes has passed me by on my day off. So what? I enjoyed myself; I was able to create and be inspired by my muse. And all this is free and it is not even fattening! I have earned my time to just be and if writing is one of those moments of `being`, so be it!
Years ago, I used to be a personal support worker in homecare. My favourite days were bath days and individuals would humbly allow me to help them with their personal hygiene. I would take my time…up to an hour many times. I felt privileged to be welcomed in their homes like that. I am pretty sure that today, thirty years later, this “time” is considered a rare luxury…sadly so.
I stopped wearing a watch when I had the children and was a stay at home mom for five years. I didn’t need a clock or a watch. Babies and children can easily determine their needs without a clock and so that is how life was then.
internal clocks pulse
mother nurses, cleans, comforts
infant cries
© Tournesol ‘14/08/03
I remember when I first started working as a youth counsellor at our help line, I used to feel uneasy for talking a bit longer than some of my colleagues. Finally after three years, I had this amazing clinical supervisor who had watched me, observed my style and told me it was just the way I was. That was how I was able to engage with youths before they felt comfortable to disclose. When youth asks me if they are taking up too much time and feel they should let go, I tell them, “This call ends when you are finished sharing what you need to get off your chest, and we can find some options to help you through this.”
Sometimes we may be short-staffed due to illness and colleagues may worry seeing there are other callers waiting in the queue. I don’t look at that…I refuse to for I cannot be present with a youth if I my mind is wandering about caller number 2 or 3. I can ONLY take one call at a time and be with that person in a meaningful way.
just ended a call,
sun sets below the skyline
dinnertime.
© Tournesol ‘14/08/03
Tournesol dans un Jardin 
I think it just goes to show your amazing beauty about the fact you cherished and loved the bath time so much that was very touching and the fact you devote yourself to your caller it is as it should be cx
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Thank you! I used to bring a bath towel for ME once I was done…ha ha. I loved working in homecare while I was studying my cert in Gerontology. I would do friendship visits to isolated older people and met the most wonderful and inspiring folks. I should write about that some day, how and why I started in that field before going off to my Human Relations degree. You know it helped prepare me for the toughest times with my mom when she was still living at home…I loved giving her a bubble bath. Bath days you are like a person’s chamber maid (but in a most humbling and honorable way).
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awe that is so wonderful. When i was a kid I used to go around and visit all the old people in my village, my parents thoughti t odd but i absolutely loved it, sitting with a cup of something an dlistening to their tales and i think they liked the company x
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Ah that is so nice of you! Children and elderly people have a lot in common…they don’t complicate life…that is why I like working with them both.
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😀
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You really can’t help anyone if you’re thinking of what you need to do down the line ….
loved this — thank goodness you refuse to be pushed!!!!
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🙂
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Great haibun … it’s always a pleasure to read your posts, they inspire and uplift.
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That is such a nice thing to say, Georgia. Thank you:)
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Ah … Shucks …
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Wonderful haibun Cheryl Lynn … it’s a joy to visit your weblog.
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You are so kind, Kristjaan, and your prompts to inspire me. I am not able to write as much lately…but will try…for now my mind is on the tragedies in Iraq…I can’t seem to get that out of my mind. I will be writing a bit more on my other blog where I don’t censor any thoughts. Blessings
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Those recent tragedies in Iraq are really heartbreaking …
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