Time lost

Have you ever felt like time stopped and something happened that you weren't aware of?

Wouldn't it be fantastic if time did stop when something monumental is happening, or we need to get out of some dire or stressful situation we're in just so we can get it done right?

I recall an incident years ago when I was aboard a jeepney on my way home. It was dark and rain was pouring. I was seated near the vehicle's entrance so I saw everyone who got on board and off.

I remember a young woman who rushed in to avoid getting wet. She sat near the driver. With the plastic window covers down, sound bounced around inside the jeepney.

I distinctly remember hearing the girl ask the driver to let her off some stop because she didn't know exactly where it was. And given the weather, it was understandable.

We were on the rotunda (roundabout), maybe 300 or so meters away from that particular stop, but vehicles crawled precisely because of the rain and because it was rush hour.

Since I was seated near the door, I could see the headlights of vehicles behind our jeepney, and was mesmerized by the rain illuminated by the lights as they pelted down the street.

I didn't know I was staring transfixed at the cars, lights and rain, but I knew in a minute or two, the girl would be alighting at her stop.

Where'd she go?

Whadayaknow? She never did! Or at least I didn't see her get off, and that was impossible because she would have had to pass by me. But nada!

I snapped back into the present when I realized we were moving and had passed the jeepney stop. I turned to look where the girl sat and she wasn't there! The jeepney was packed but I knew exactly where she was and someone else was sitting there.

What happened? That incident totally creeped me out and the whole time while on the jeep until I finally arrived home, I continued to ask myself that question.

Did time just stop for me?

Friday no day

Over Sunday dinner, my niece and sister were talking about how they both felt Friday had slipped by without their knowing it.

My niece described it aptly: "Like I slept on Thursday, and when I woke up it was already Saturday."

Her brother chimed in and said he felt exactly the same way.

They both couldn't recall what happened on Friday, and were completely surprised learning it was Saturday and never knew the last day of the work week went by.

Now throughout Friday, we were together going about the usual daily routine. Perhaps it was because classes have ended for my niece thus she lost track of time.

And I distinctly recall that at some point in the afternoon of Friday, my niece specifically asked what day it was. She was told it was Friday.

The 15-year-old was adamant that nothing like it had ever happened to her before, no matter what mood or snit she was in.

Time moves forward

That is so strange... to lose time like that. To not be aware that a day or some chunk of time had passed and you weren't aware of it until it was done.

I know that we can never make up for time lost. When it's passed, it's past. Unless you've a time machine that enables you to go back, time just keeps moving forward.

It's why people are taught not to waste time, that every minute is precious, that victory can be won by a mere second, or even a tenth of a second.

It's why we should not put off doing something now, or today, for later because who knows if we still have that time to spend tomorrow or an hour from now.

That's why I am particular about punctuality (I wrote about that here: Punctual: Familiar with the word?), because being tardy means not respecting time - yours and someone else's.

Imagine wasting an hour or more of your time waiting for someone who believes they have ALL the time in the world, and does not think your time is any more valuable than theirs is!

But that is time lost with you aware of it. When you lose time unaware, that is something quite hard to explain or fathom.

Is the universe trying to tell you something when you lose track of time or some chunk of it passes you by without you knowing?

Anyone have a similar experience?

Images: Unsplash