What time is it?
Nine o’clock.
Yes, I KNOW it’s nine o’clock! Any idiot can see it’s nine o’clock, but, what time is it really?
Nine o’clock.
Nine o’clock?
Yes.
Hmmm (pause). Well, what time would it be if it were this time yesterday?
Eight o’clock.
Eight o’clock?
Yes.
So, at eight o’clock yesterday, what time what time would it be if it were today?
Nine o’clock.
Nine o’clock?
Yes.
Hmmm (pause, again). Well, just never mind then! I just don’t get it!!!
Today marks the anniversary of the semi-annual exchange between my parents ushering in the advent – or the end – of daylight savings time.
My mom – as smart as she was – was never quite able to wrap her head around the whole thing despite my dad’s attempts to thwart her befuddlement. Much to our amusement, this usually happened around the dinner table. “Oh, boy – here we go!”, someone would exclaim, tossing their fork, after a casual reminder about the changing of the clocks was uttered. As predictable as it was, the ensuing dialogue never failed to disappoint. In the end, the concept remained as mysterious to her as her confusion did to my dad. And us kids? We were entertained twice a year, just like clockwork.
Years have passed since those days and the loss of our mom, and the eight of us no longer gather around one table for dinner like we used to. I think about her every day, but today belongs to her alone. Today we put the clocks ahead and another daylight savings time begins.
Here’s to you, Mom.
Just Sifting 
Daylight Savings Time now has a purpose–and I am pleased you have this opportunity to cherish the memory of your mother.
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I love the dialogue at the beginning of your post! You nailed it! I could picture some of my students working through this biannual practice in frustration. So when I learned it was a memory of yours, and it was your mom, the dialogue became so rich! Makes you think about the little quirks that bring others to mind, and our own little quirks that make us pop into another’s head!
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What a wonderful slice. The dialogue is a riot and the explanation sweet. This may also be the only post I’ve seen that has something positive to say about the time change. Glad there is a reason to cherish it in a few houses.
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I loved the way you entwined time change with memories of your mother.
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What a beautiful memory! Such a debate conversation at my house even still. It is a little funny, but then we are also tired. Time, no matter how we define it marches on.
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You captured the dialogue so well I felt as if I were in the room. And to have it all tied to the time change was incredible. Happy memories.
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Thank you! And I loved your post about socks! I’m glad Im not the only one that this happens to – embarrassing socks, that is!
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This story makes me smile…it has been the only thing to create this action around the time change…I thank you!!!
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Thank you, Tammy! This is a great memory for me and really appreciate that it can help put the time change in a positive light for others. Thank you for saying so.
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Love that you took the opportunity to turn a seemingly banal yearly event into a beautiful tribute to your mom and family.
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I get it! Time zones do the same to me. Here we do not change clocks and I have to keep track of where and when the clocks change to contact loved ones- confusing!
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Ahhh! how confusing we make our lives, eh? We need writing to sort it all out and put it in its proper place!
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