Time After Time

Other Categories

Newspaper Lady

Published Sunday, August 30 2009 - (0) Comments

Sunday afternoons are my nap time. I have a one year old and I work during the week, so I look forward to my restful hour, or two, each week. Well, a few Sundays ago, I skipped the nap and went to see the new movie "The Time Traveler's Wife." Don't worry, I won't spoil it for you (even though I want to because I really dislike not knowing endings to stories. I'm a read-the-ending first kind of girl!) From the title (and the movie ads on t.v.), we can elicit a general summary – handsome man is thrown around the spectrum of time, out of his control obviously because there is a beautiful woman who loves him and wants him to stay in her "here and now." As I was leaving the theater, I couldn't keep from thinking that time is so precious and the only luxury, or curse, we have that even comes close to time travel is held within our memories. I bet the Time Traveler wished he only had memories….

I love memories. Not only can I get lost of remembering a fond time in my life, but sometimes, for a split moment, I feel like I am actually where my mind has taken me. While I can't physically go back and forth in time like the Time Traveler, I can go to and fro in my mind. I can think back on when I was younger with my three sisters; one awesome memory is of a cabin we had in northern Pennsylvania, which has been gone now for a few years. There were open spaces, rolling hills and mountains, some beautiful abandoned homes, and neighbors were spread out. There were wild strawberries we picked and made into fruit pies in summer and skiing every winter at slopes you could see out the cabin window. There was no dishwasher which made for arguments at the latter part of dinner time; deer spotting began at twilight which lead to GORGEOUS nights where the Milky Way was completely visible. I miss it a lot, but just now, I was there. Just for a spilt moment.

Time. Time is the invisible, ever-present surrounding that holds us as we make memories. It is the thief of life, yet it is such a relief to have. Time is constantly fleeting and stealing away our breaths, life, moments, rest and joy, and yet, in many instances, it could not be a more welcome companion. We've all had moments where we watch the clock and feel like time couldn't pass by any quicker; we've all had moments where times flies. With each day passing slowly, the years pass quickly. Life begins the same moment another one ends - and it is hard to believe. 75 years of living is a long time to think of, but when you're at the end of those years, wouldn't you like more time? Well, I've not been in those shoes, but I can imagine that I would.

Because of time, memories are a once in a life time deal. You can't get a do-over or erase something. And that's ok. It has to be. Skin sags, hair grows and fades, trees and weeds flourish, houses become ruins, new products replace old ones, cars need maintenance, the camera/video/music/personal chef phone takes over the camera phone and I could go on and on. Charles Dickens once said, "old Time, that greatest and longest established spinner of all!.... his factory is a secret place, his work is noiseless, and his hands are mutes." Nothing and no one can escape the power of time – we are trapped!!! We can't stop it or erase it – I am beginning to feel a little claustrophobic, aren't you?!

So, how does this relate to newspapers? Well, newspapers act as time capsules. Have you ever looked at a newspaper clip that is 100 years old or more? The written language of long ago, the font and size, the artwork, the editorial cartoons – to be compared to now is fascinating. You can see how people thought, with conservative values that many held; see how humor, or the relaying of humor, has changed over time; see how people dressed or what the fashions of the day was like. Newspapers hold onto all that and won't let go. In essence, they are time-keepers! They have the ability to bring time back into play. Books and even movies can do this too, but newspapers have the authentic flair and give that feeling you get when you visit a remarkable site and think "I am actually standing where Elaine Riner (haha!) stood!" A newspaper takes you where you are and transports your mind to the time it holds on to. Isn't that a crazy thought!?

Newspapers are history books, photo albums, scrapbooks, art books, great minds, file folders, letters, and….memories. That "black and white" vessel holds a steadfast grip on all those memories and shows how life has altered over time. I love seeing yellowed pages because it makes me realize that our memories will always be preserved as long as the newspaper will run the print editions.

I know I have a lot of learning and growing to do. My co-workers all like to joke with me and say, "yeah she's just twelve!" because I am still in my twenties. But I see the value of not wasting time, not giving up, not letting go of the past, and embracing the future. Cherish your babies, even when they're rebellious. Love your parents because they always know better. Love your spouse even when it is the hardest thing on the planet! Go to church because it may change your life. Go to that job, even if it is hard because you don't like it. Be steady and stable, even if emotions are screaming on the inside. Be who you are and use your gifts; it might not bring happiness all the time, but there will be an underlying joy, even in the tough times. Tough times make memories too, you know.

I guess what I'm saying is that we cannot ignore time, silent and invisible though it may be, and we can't stop making memories. It happens! We also can't ignore the newspaper because it is one of the great many evidences that shows where time and memories collide! I mean, isn't it cool to read a great story or see an image and realize you just witnessed history? We'll never jump all over time and see things as they happened, as each event was once very new and many times shocking, like the Time Traveler. But, we can go back in our minds and create our own idea of what was by reading the "living" history book: the newspaper.

Discuss This Story

Be the first to comment: Sign In or Create Profile

To comment, you must register.

Comments are the sole responsibility of the registered user participating in online discussions. You agree not to post comments off topic, abusive, obscene, defamatory, vulgar, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned.

Click here to review our complete user agreement.