The Value of Every Second
I believe in the clock. I believe in the power of the clock. Everything can change in a minute.
I learned how to read a clock back when I was in Kindergarten. But it was just a lesson; time doesn’t mean much when you’re five. As I got older, the clock was a bit more important. It told me when I had to be somewhere. But it was still just a plastic disk on the wall.
Then one day a few years ago my thoughts on time changed. My family was vacationing in Myrtle Beach with a few other families. All the guys were outside playing football in the soft white sand behind our rental beach house. All the girls sat in lawn chairs and watched. One minute I was on vacation having fun. The next minute my life changed. My father died of a sudden heart attack.
Time changed. Everything changed. My kindergarten time was gone. I had taken my time with my dad for granted. But it shouldn’t have been just time on the clock. Every second I had with him should have been special. I never knew the next minute, the next 60 seconds, would change everything.
Crying in my bed at night the day my dad died, I reached for my cell phone. But instead I grabbed a seashell he had given me. That morning we had shared a two-minute walk on the beach. The sun made the water shine. The waves splashed over our sandy feet and onto divine seashells. He picked the shells up and handed them to me. That morning didn’t seem special, and neither did the seashell I kept. But now I’m really glad I spent those two small minutes with my dad. That morning, he wanted to do everything with me. I didn’t know why then, but now I feel like God let him know he needed to spend time with me that day.
I believe my life – everyone’s life -- ticks down on the eternal clock. This clock is not like the one hanging on the wall. It can’t be hand wound or moved forward or back when you want. After my dad’s death, I didn’t want to do anything. I sat and cried. I wanted my life and time to just slow down. Now I understand God has given us this time, and we shouldn’t waste it.
Each memory I have of my dad is stored in the eternal clock. The memories are there for me, waiting until I need them most. I remember my father, but I don’t dwell in the past. I don’t spend my time questioning how things could have been different. My father’s death has taught me not to waste the time we’re given on what-ifs.
Our lives are made up of a collection of special moments, like the two minutes I spent on the beach with my dad. Two minutes. That’s just 120 seconds. And I cherish every one. I believe we should value each and every “tick” of the clock.
Comments
Cindy
Roaring Spring, Pa.
Jul 15, 2010
maturity came early for this young woman…..she learned
about the Clock of Life with the passing of her Dad.
thanks for choosing her essay and life lesson for all of
your listeners
Deb
Martinsburg, PA
Jul 15, 2010
Mikaela,
Your Dad was and would be so proud of you! What a great writer and young lady you have become. Your story will speak to many. It should make each of us slow down and experience each moment that we spend with those who are important in our lives! You are special! - Aunt Deb
Jamie Focht
Duncansville,Pa
Jul 15, 2010
I am one of mikaela’s travel team coachs for softball.Steve and I coached the first 10u team out of hollidaysburg.He was a great man,father and coach.I am sure he is glowing with pride on how well his family has overcome the adversities that they have.Mikaela and her family have given me a collection of special moments that me,my family,and our team will cherish forever.Thank you
Linda
Martinsburg
Jul 15, 2010
Mikaela is a very special, as was her Dad. I know the time he spent with his children was precious to him. He would be very proud of Mikaela’s essay.
Joanne
Roaring Spring, PA
Jul 15, 2010
We have been blessed to share with Mikaela’s mom, Patty, how nuch those little minutes we spend with family and those we love mean in one’s life. Mikaela has learned at a young age what many adults have yet to learn. I am sure you dad is smiling in Heaven telling everyone “That’s my Girl!”. God Bless you.
Janet
Hollidaysburg, PA
Jul 16, 2010
Your father lives within you and all you accomplish in your life. I know he was a GREAT guy and your insight shown in this essay displays how special you and your family are… and will continue to be. You are a very wise and loving daughter. God Bless you, and thank you for reminding us of the importance of each minute in our lives too!
Pastor Ron
Claysburg
Jul 16, 2010
Great Job Mikaela,
Our time on this earth is very precious. It’s the one resource we can never replace. It is much to precious to waste. I’m sorry your dad is not here to spend more time with, but I thank God for the time you did have with him. Cherish every minute you have to spend with others you love, and spend your time discovering how God would want you to use the time you have remaining.
Bill Robeson
Newark, DE
Jul 16, 2010
Awesome Mikaela, just awesome…
Bill
marj wisker
martinsburg
Jul 17, 2010
Mikaela,
Wonderful essay. How important it is to take one day at a time.To watch the words we speak to others. Thanks for the reminder. I have heard God takes the godly young men for special service in heaven :).
Penny Orr
Altoona
Jul 18, 2010
Mikaela your message is so mature for someone your age. We all need to slow down and appreciate those we love. I know your dad is so proud of you, and one day you will be reunited with him and he can tell you again how wonderful you are. thanks so much for the message. Penny
ashley
Martinsburg PA
Jul 18, 2010
that was the best thing i have ever heard that was so nice that was great good job
Traci Witters
robertsdale pa
Jul 18, 2010
Michaela,
I have had the pleasure of knowing both of your parents. Mainly through your mom, Patty. She was the HR director at Nason Hospital when I worked there. It brought tears to my eyes reading you story based on your father. He was truly blessed to have such a beautiful, intelligent daughter. It might have only been 120 seconds, but it will be that 120 seconds you will never forget. He might not be here physically but he will guide you in the right direction each day. Good luck in all your life endeavors.
Pauline Amick
Roaring Spring, PA
Jul 19, 2010
Mikaela,
I have watched you grow up through the years and always thought how special you are. You and Beth have always been in sports together, so I have watched you interact with your dad and have seen you mature so well. Your dad would be really proud of the young lady you have become.
Anne Houck
Snow Shoe
Jul 22, 2010
Mikaela,
How true, and how beautifully written.
So thankful for all the special moments you have as good memories of your Dad.
God Bless.
Julie Waite
Roaring Spring
Jul 22, 2010
Your words so eloquently express your heart. Thank you for sharing this important message with others. May each of us always cherish those special memories with loved ones, and may God continue to bless you and your family.
Carol Metzger
Salisbury, NC
Aug 09, 2010
You certainly have learned some hard life lessons in your young life. You hit the nail on the head when you said, we should cherish every moment we spend with those we love. I am so proud of the young woman you have become. Cherish your memories - they will always be in your heart! Always remember how much you are loved!
Tim Knepp
Martinsburg
Aug 25, 2010
Wow! Mikaela that was great. I knew your dad for a long time. The one memory that I have of your father is when he showed me the property lines of the ground where we now live. Just the two of us walking in the woods. He loved to do that. We talked about family and the outdoors. He cherished his family very much! Every time I walk alone in the woods behind our house I think of him and that walk. Like you stated, life can change in the tick of the clock. The experience you have had and all the one’s you will face, along with God and family by your side, will get you through anything that life puts before you. Your neighbor, Tim.
Bettie Horner
Martinsburg, PA
Aug 26, 2010
your essay is so powerful, Mikayla. God has certainly given you deep insight of how important each moment is - every day truly is a gift of God. thank you for sharing your heart and influencing others to realize how special the time is that we spend with those we love.
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