Most of us know how time seems to go faster when we are enjoying ourselves.  We can even experience it when we least expect it to happen.  Whenever endorphins are released, we can’t help but feel the joy that accompanies them.  Joy has the power to make everything better.  And time flies by.

But even when we are experiencing pain and emotional distress, after all is said and done, the time can seem to have flown in retrospect.  Of course, when bad things are happening, the pain can be devastating.  But the passage of time can change our perspective into a feeling that lets joy back into our lives again.  And when enough time has passed, even negative memories can sometimes fade into the background.

For anyone who knows me, I was devastated when my son was killed in an auto accident.  But, because I embraced the pain and felt every bit of it, I was able to recover my joy with the help of my family, friends and counseling.  My memories were stored in my heart and I was able to see all of the good we had in our relationship.  To be able to feel that way was a gift.  It was not easy, but how could it be?  No parent is ever prepared for losing their child, nor should they be. 

Time passed more quickly because I was actively working on my recovery.  I embraced all of the goodness we had in our relationship and savored all those memories that could never be taken away.  I felt the pain and allowed it to flow through me.

The most wonderful blessing that I had, to bolster me in this most difficult time, was my loving family and great friends who were with me, always there for me.  And looking back at it now, time seemed to fly, even then.