© Clr '14
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
