We're leaving together. But still it's farewell. And maybe we'll come back. To earth, who can tell?
-From Europe’s The Final Countdown.
Sometimes it seems as though life is nothing more than a series of countdowns. The events we deem worthy of our forward-looking attention usually have a couple of things in common. First, there is a high level of anticipation—we can’t wait for the moment or day to arrive. Second, they become our greatest source of hope or disappointment—something we only realize in retrospect. Whatever the case, it’s hard not to see the effect that countdowns have on each and every one of us, sometimes on a daily basis. And while there are too many to mention, here are a few of my favorites.
The literal countdown. Some say the most alive we feel is when a clock is ticking toward zeroes. Whether it’s while playing a game of Scattergories, watching something launch into space, getting ready to yell “Happy New Year,” or while warming up for an athletic competition. There is never a shortage of adrenaline as the seconds tick away. Shout out to the St. Ignatius pep band back in the day for making those final two minutes of warm-ups even more profound by playing Europe’s signature track The Final Countdown.
The holiday countdown. The combination of having time off, lots and lots of food, and the giving/receiving of gifts is such a phenomenal trifecta that it usually then causes us to fall into a little depression whenever the much anticipated day or season comes to an end.
The start or end of school countdown. Talk about two completely different mindsets. The contrast makes the month of May one of the year’s most joyful for teachers and students, while the month of August becomes, as my former colleague Gene used to say, “One long Sunday night.”
The vacation countdown. This is an interesting one for sure. Most of us relish time away from the grind, but it’s who we are with, what we are doing, and where we are going that determines if another countdown begins as soon as we arrive! Sometimes we end up needing a vacation after going on vacation.
The Friday countdown. It never ceases to amaze me how much joy the sixth day of the week brings folks. It’s the only day of the week that we thank the Almighty for with a phrase. He’d probably prefer “Thank God It’s Sunday!” If only that Friday feeling could be bottled up, there’s nothing like it!
The countdown to lunch. Our second meal is the oasis of the day for many of us. A delicious lunch to look forward to always makes for a more productive morning of work. It’s like a reward. A lackluster lunch has a stranded on a desert island effect: There’s no hope on the horizon.
The “I can’t wait for this to be over” countdown. Sometimes there are multiple of these countdowns each day. Everything from those brutal, preseason practices that were weeks away from the first game of the season, to something as boring as what I’m doing right now—sitting on hall duty. These countdowns are brutal for antsy people, of which I am certainly one.
The cancer treatment countdown. For those who have either been through chemo or radiation themselves or know someone who has had to undergo these brutal treatments, there is no more beautiful sound than the bell that is rung after that final treatment.
The tour of duty countdown. My friend and co-worker Don served proudly in The United States Marine Corps. Not long after arriving in Japan for a year long deployment, he told me how the USO provided each service member with a countdown picture and that they were to color-in or mark each day of their tour of duty—completing it on their last day away from home. Hard to imagine folks from the toughest branch in the service coloring a picture, but he tells me that is why Marines love crayons.
The pile countdown. Whether it’s pile of mulch, a pile of tests which need graded, or a pile of laundry that needs done, there’s no better feeling than watching a big old pile of anything dwindle away to nothing. There’s usually no clock involved, but that doesn’t make the process any less satisfying.
Yesterday, another countdown took place for the 73rd time in as many years at Holy Cross Cemetery in Brook Park, Ohio. Neil Sterba has continued the tradition started by his father, John, of planting thousands of flags next to the gravestones of our deceased military veterans. Every May he leads about one hundred volunteers—whether rain or shine—in honoring the brave men and women who served our country. The day begins with 18,000 flags and the goal of getting down to zero by sunset. It’s one of thousands of patriotic countdowns that take place across the country prior to every Memorial Day.
There are some who believe countdowns are too stressful and prevent us from living in the moment. And, while I can sometimes see their point, it’s hard to imagine life without them. Ultimately, our existence is nothing more than one big countdown to death and what we do with each tick will determine where we spend eternity. No doubt it’s the acts of love and service—like the one carried out yesterday by my friend Neil and his many volunteers in a soaking rain—which will ensure a happiness beyond our limited comprehension when our time here on Earth is through and the clock is showing zeroes.
Happy Memorial Day Everyone!
-Tommy O’Sionnach
Yes…..very true
Counting down to the 4th of July when I can see you!