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A supposedly momentous confluence of time and date took place last July 8, which was as fascinating as the moon’s arrival in the Seventh House just as Jupiter aligned with Mars (as the psychedelic Fifth Dimension famously crooned). At exactly 12:34:56 am that day, the time and date lined up numerically from 1-9: 12:34:56/7/8/9!   The alignment actually took place twice, the second occurrence happening just after noon at 12:34:56 p.m., making it truly once-in-a-lifetime — it won’t happen again for another 100 years. If that’s not mystical enough for you, consider that the numerological value of the numbers comprising 07/08/2009 adds up to 8, the symbol of power and control (7 plus 8 plus 2 plus 9 equals 26, then 2 plus 6 equals 8)! Of course, a lot of people find it all silly nonsense and cite the fact that in countries where they list the day ahead of the month, it was 08/07/2009 (and not 07/08/2009) on that day. Nevertheless, some folks found it significant enough that they chose to either give birth or get married on that specific second. A few monks reportedly even climbed a mountaintop to chant special prayers for world peace.

Well, I guess my children and their cousins could have easily joined the monks. For although they were not really aware of that specific event last July, they seem to pay attention to each and every idiosyncrasy of the clock like 7:11, 3:33, 4:44, 5:55, and so on. I sometimes get startled while driving when they would suddenly shout these instances out as they flash on the car’s digital clock. And it has gotten worse. Now, my kids are like human cuckoo birds, announcing to each other the end or start of each hour whenever they chance on it at the clock inside our bedroom. “Ate!” my son would call out, “twelve o’clock!” Later on, it would be my daughter’s turn to sound the alarm. Upon hearing one of them chime in, the other one would then run to the room to check out the clock. They would actually feel a little bad if they’re late and the clock already shows a different time when they get there. I asked them the other day what makes these things so special. They shrugged their shoulders as if I had just asked the silliest question in the world and replied that they just are. Now that I think about it, I realize that they’re that way too with many other things. They apparently notice and make a big deal out of almost everything that happens to come by their five senses — whether it is the time, a cloud’s shape, a catchy tune, the aroma during dinnertime, the feel of the cool morning air, or even one of their dad’s corny jokes. 

It is, I suppose, one of the real treasures of childhood — the effortless recognition and innocent appreciation of everything that life has to offer. As adults, we sometimes get so busy with life that we literally let it pass us by. Children, on the other hand, just can’t seem to help but stop and smell the flowers all the time. Interestingly, that advice was originally given by a professional golfer by the name of Walter Hagen who once said, “Don’t hurry, don’t worry, you’re only here for a short visit so be sure to smell the flowers along the way.” Some say that it was this kind of live-and-let-live philosophy that also made him one of the greatest golfers of all time. Curiously, golf is one sport that I’ve never played since it demands two things that I don’t seem to have enough of — time and patience. I’m a stickler for time and probably as obsessive-compulsive as anyone can get. If I’m late, you have every reason to worry. I literally count the hours and seconds. I can still remember the look on the face of my wife’s Japanese obstetrician when I gave him a two-page log of her contractions just before she gave birth. (Well, he did tell me to monitor it!) I am also the kind of person who is always trying to determine the best way to get from Point A to Point B. As a result, I guess that I do sometimes miss a few flowers along the way. Luckily, I have my very curious children to help slow me down.

I think I now also understand why my children seemed puzzled when I asked them what was so special about each hour that they have to keep announcing it to each other. As grownups, we often ask what time it is either in boredom or because we feel that we’re running out of it. On the other hand, I think that my kids were simply trying to tell me how wonderful life is and how happy they are for being alive. How silly indeed of me to have asked!  

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Please e-mail your reactions to kindergartendad@yahoo.com.