[Looking at history and our area’s unique political and religious attitudes.]

Time. What is it? Can you give a simple one sentence definition? For an idea which constrains us all, it is a nebulous concept.

One of the common associated phrases is “I do not have time for that.” What does that mean or imply? We all have the same 24 hours in the day, but some accomplish much more in those same 1440 minutes.

The month is May, the fifth month of the year. A year ago was also May. Does that imply we get ‘do-overs’? The ranch has a variety of eco-systems or micro-climes. The area between our home, the big-white-barn venue, and our daughter’s home is called the park. Our son-in-law, and ranch manager, maintains it with ‘elegance grounded in nature.’ Except, during the time we call ‘No mow May,’ the grass is allowed to flourish.

Why is grass allowed to reach new heights during that time? The spring wildflowers are also in their prime. On our side of the fence, under a thick canopy of oak and hickory, the tall, white foxglove are raising their gorgeous heads on long, slender stems, much like a sea of young ladies out dancing in the breeze. The other tall girls are appropriately called Queen Anne’s Lace. One of the few blue flowers, the spider-wort, is just as charming with its heavy tubular support system. Delicate doll daisies, other small white flowers, and yellow blooms blossom.

On their side of the park, in a more open prairie, a blazing orange array of Indian paintbrush is the picture of a certain pumpkin hued university just down the Cimarron Turnpike. Although our side has a few paintbrush and blankets, it is nothing like theirs. As in the ancient parable of the wheat and tares, it is imperative to let the grass grow, so the beauty of nature can be seen in the wildflowers. Once time marches on, and the bloom has past, there is adequate time to cut the grass and the flower stems for a chance at rejuvenation next May.

The cycle of plants coming to life each May is used by some to imply that time is circular and the living plants get another shot at life. We do not have adequate data or ancient teachings to make that call. When next year’s flowers bloom, they are the offspring of this year. That is the circle of life.

We do know from physics that nature has a fixed time with a static, unchanging component. Another time vector is linear or in a line which is curved, and a third manifestation is this cyclic nature. However, the cyclic nature is oscillating along either side of the line. We have cyclic time in days, months, and years, but time still marches on with no do overs.

How much time do you have? The daily interval implies everyone’s activity is fulfilled in 24-hours. But there is a larger issue. This week, I was working on a project with a grandson and son-in-law. That is called a good-time. Grandson is leaving to go to the Indian paintbrush university in the fall.

Also this week, one of Apple’s iPhone apps popped up pictures of the past, which included him and his younger brother. His dad remarked, that seems like just last week, but it was about 10-years ago when they moved to the ranch. So the dad’s comment reveals a relative nature of time. At their young age, youth want time to hurry up, so they can grow up.

His dad was slinging a chainsaw and driving t-post fence supports at that time. With his distinguished graying hair and complete beard now, those chores are largely a thing of the past. If we cannot do it with diesel, we reconsider the project. Having the second youngster in University makes their new home seem like it would fit in a different time and the desire for time to stand still crossed the thought process.

We, the authors, are on the back side of the time curve. The philosopher-king David about 1000 BC in a tiny Middle Eastern kingdom of Israel lamented time in a Psalm (90:10). “Three score and ten years are given to us! Some even live to four score. But even the best years are filled with pain and trouble; soon they disappear, and we fly away.

Two observations are embedded. At 80 our contract is not necessarily terminated, but may be extended. For Mom, aunts, and paternal grandfather it was a generous extension.

What happens at the end of your time? The philosopher-king says we fly away. Being a former pilot, that sounds more enjoyable than some other words. Clearly, you are headed someplace. For 3500 years, the dominant Christian-Jewish teaching says it is a place of recompense for what we learned, accepted, and performed in this life. There is the liberator or Messiah that guides the way.

Think about it. We are either on the right side or wrong side of the Messianic teaching. That determines where we fly.