Ten Till 8

There’s a clock in my bathroom. It was put there for the same reason we put clocks anywhere. To tell us what time it is. Rather, to tell us how little time we have left to do what we’re doing.

Several months ago (a year ago?), the battery died in that bathroom clock. It has read 7:51:44 ever since. Ten till 8. That’s a good time.

Ten till 8 means that in the morning as I’m getting ready after having had breakfast, overseen kids doing chores, and making the bed that it’s still early.

Ten till 8 after dinner means that it’s bedtime for the kiddos!

Ten till 8 after they are actually in bed and the dishes are washed means that the night is still young with the house cleaned up and the kids in bed! Plenty of time to relax or get something accomplished.

Of course, ten til 8 only lasts for a brief moment. I still look at the clock each morning and evening. I still don’t remember it’s stopped until about 5 seconds after I see ten til 8. Then I relax for a moment remembering how early it is…until I walk out.