One Moment, One Meeting: A Grandparent’s Reflection on Time
Time: A Grandfather's View - Issue #168
Action creates motivation, not the other way around. That energised feeling hits when you're walking out of the gym, not trudging in.
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I watch my four year old granddaughter twirl. She spins. Her hair curls move. Showing me her new lavender ghaghra outfit. As she dances, I see time flow through generations - from father to grandfather.
My son stood where she stands now. He tried catching squirrels in our yard. Chasing pigeons on our roof top. Today, I sit as she shows me her dance. Her face mirrors his face from years past. She says "Dadu, I know it," to anything I try to teach her, just as he did.
Time moves. We chase tomorrow while reaching back for yesterday. This shapes how we live, yet we rush through without thought.
When my son grew, I waited for his first steps, words or first full night’s sleep. I marked days until school, overnight camp, friends. Now with my granddaughter, I see time change. Moments pass. They won't return.
She said "Stobri" for Strawberry. Then she learned. She changed. Her words grow. Her speech clears. Time takes each phase before we notice.
The truth emerges slowly: we get only one chance at each moment. One year with a one-year-old. One summer with a four-year-old. One spring with a sixteen-year-old. Each second stands alone, never to repeat. The Japanese have a term for it. Ichigo Ichie. Means – ‘One time, one meeting.’
Yesterday she touched the Kitchen counter on her toes. Excitedly saying - “Dadu, I have become a big girl.” Soon she'll write. Soon she'll ride. Be independent. She moves forward as I hold this moment.
Life needs no push. Connection hides in plain sight. Time asks us to show up. To stay. To see. The challenge lies not in finding special moments but in recognising that every moment holds potential for connection. Quality time doesn't require elaborate plans or perfect circumstances. It simply asks for our presence and attention.
When she brings me her favourite book for the hundredth time, I set aside my tasks and pull her close. When she wants to show me every toy in her room, I follow her lead. We build bridges through these acts. When she calls me 'Dadu', love spans years.
This differs from fatherhood. Time teaches. She sleeps in my arms. Her breath marks time.
Life runs. We can't catch it. But we can live now. We can count what we have, not what comes next.
A grandparent knows. Laughs fade. Dances end. Stories close. Her youth builds piece by piece. We watch. We remember. We hold on.
The message remains simple but profound: be here now. Show up. Stay present. Time flies whether we watch or not.
Watching my son parent his daughter brings a new dimension to my understanding of time's passage. He walks my path with his own steps. Through his daughter's eyes, childhood returns.
After all, this moment - right now - will never come again. Make it count.
Watch. Remember. Savour. Celebrate. Archive. Relive.
A great poet wrote: ‘Joh bhi hai, bas yahi ek pal hai’
In case you missed previous issue on the relationship between Optimism and Healthier lifespan, then here are the highlights:
Optimism Enhances Health and Longevity
Optimistic people handle stress better, maintain stronger immune systems, make healthier choices, and recover faster from illness, which contributes to a longer, healthier life.Positive Self-Talk Shapes Perspective
How you explain events to yourself (your explanatory style) influences your outlook. Optimists focus on temporary and specific problems, while pessimists generalize and view them as permanent.Optimism Can Be Learned
Techniques like the ABCDE method, gratitude journaling, and visualizing your best future self help cultivate a positive mindset, even for those who naturally lean towards pessimism.Actionable Practices Build Resilience
Simple habits like challenging negative thoughts, focusing on strengths, celebrating small wins, and seeking opportunities in adversity can help shift your perspective towards optimism and hope.
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Meet you on the Fourth Sunday (4/52) of 2025. Take care!