Time

Time is that wonderful thing that starts ticking the moment we are born and counts down till we demise. Time is also knowing when to hang it up. We all do that many times in our life. We add and lose friends throughout our lives starting in childhood. Realtionships come and go. Spouses come and go. Jobs come and go. Knowing when, though, is the tough part. I know people who stay in terrible jobs. Live with non compatible people. Are married to the wrong people. They have friends who stretch the meaning of the word. When is the time to stop something?  I had many jobs while I was in college and I knew any job that restricted me so I couldn't freely communicate with my co workers when I wanted was not for me. I hated department stores and factories or any sort. I found out early that I could only have friends who had some of the values that I held to be important. The toughest things I left were my children when I got divorced, teaching High School, and some of my dear friends in Rhode Island. I did know that for each of them it was time to hang it up. The marriage had run it's course, 30 years of teaching was enough to have accomplished what I wanted, and my friends were dear but I knew it was time to move on. People know when it's time. Is it hard? Incredibly hard. Heart wrenching. Does it have to happen? Yes! You can't hang on forever. I am getting older now. My body is visibly changing. My abilities in certain things are diminishing. Will I have to make more compromises? Sure as hell but I will. Moving on isn't so bad because you always move to somewhere or something else. Until it's time to hang it up one last time.