The Clock of Life

Last week I attended the remembrance service of my Uncle Andrew, Aunt Estella, and two cousins Jasper (14) and Friso (12), who lost their lives together on flight MH17. To say that a tragedy like this puts life into perspective would be an understatement. In the first page of the Order of Service, we used the following extract from the poem ‘The Clock of Life’ by Robert H Smith:

The clock of life is wound but once.
And no man has the power
To tell just when the hands will stop
At late or early hour.

Today only is our own.
So live, love, and toil with a will.
Place no faith in tomorrow,
For the clock may then be still.

Let these words resonate. If I have learned anything from this awful situation, it is that life can be taken at any time, even from the most wonderful people, and it is so important to live for today and not tomorrow. Do what makes you happy. Make the most of every day you have. Celebrate being alive. Because you only get to do it once.

6 thoughts on “The Clock of Life”

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What happened is so utterly devastating and heartbreaking that there are no words for it. I’ve cried so much for Andrew and his beautiful family and they’ve been on my mind ever since. Even though I didn’t have the pleasure to know them personally, in the photos I saw, Andrew looked so much like my own father that it made me feel a connection in a way, like I would’ve known him. And I wish I had, from everything I’ve read, they were kind and wonderful people.
Life is precious and everything can change in a heartbeat. I can only wish love and strength to their family and friends.

Thank you for your beautiful blog, Suz. I’m happy to have discovered it.

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Lifesmile Scribbler

October 6, 2014 at 7:52 am

Hi Marilou

Thank you so much for your beautiful comment. It’s amazing, but not surprising, to hear that my family have touched others who didn’t know them. They really were wonderful people and I’m glad that comes through in the photos. We always said about Andrew that once he made a friend of you, you were a friend for life. I see so much of him in my Dad, although Andrew was much taller (and a bit thinner!). We miss them a lot.

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