It just hits you very suddenly. That moment came for me in the most unexpected way: someone casually asked, “How old is your parent?” And then I did the math, because if my parent is X years old, that makes me Y years old. Scary thought. I’m not a kid anymore. I mean, I’m someone’s kid, but I’m not “a” kid. I don’t even remember growing old.
I would say that was one of my favorite moments, when I felt like I was frozen in time. I was asked such a simple question, but it hit me with unexpected force. After I did the math and said the number out loud, I felt the weight of years not just on them, but on me too. In that moment, I realized how quickly time tiptoes past us while we’re busy studying, working, vacationing, and planning.
I saw my past stretched out behind me like a well-worn road: childhood memories, familiar faces, laughter around the Christmas tree, plates and plates of delicious food. And ahead of me, the future was a blurry mist. I’m standing in the middle of the path.
In that moment, I wanted nothing more than to freeze time. To pause everything and hold on to the now. All these moments in life are so fleeting. I don’t remember growing old. When did that start? When I paid my first bill? When I found my first gray hair?
It reminded me to appreciate the life I’m living now—not just the big wins, but the quiet, everyday achievements. The fact that we’ve made it this far. That we’re still here. That we still have chances to love, laugh, and grow.
Time is always moving, always pulling us forward. But in this moment—this precious, fragile now—I choose to appreciate what I have. This would be one of my favorite moments.
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Vanya Wryter Consulting Services 
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