Lifespan: Revisited

 

A battery. A ‘why.’ And a reminder we all need to hear.

Kids are funny, especially at certain age. They all enter this “why” phase where they keep asking the same question – “why” – indefinitely. By questioning everything, kids are essentially acting like little scientists—exploring, experimenting, and trying to understand the world.

 

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Today, a funny thing happened to me while I was running some errands, one of which included hunting for a new battery for my laptop pen.

As I was waiting for the green light to cross the road, I was accosted by a young father and his little boy who was about three or four years old.

And there we were, the little scientist sending his poor dad into a tailspin, and me, the accidental eavesdropper.

Kid: “Daaaad, why are we going to the store?”

Dad: “To buy a new battery.”

Kid: “Why?”

Dad: “Because the old one isn’t working anymore.”

Kid: “Why?”

Dad: “Because it has reached the end of its lifespan.”

Kid: “Why?”

Dad: “Because everything reaches the end of its lifespan at some point.”

Kid: “But why?”

Dad: “Because someone, sometime, somewhere, somehow decided that everything must come to its end.”

Kid: “But why?”

Dad: “So that we could all appreciate a bit more what we have now, love each other more than we do, and not take everything and everyone for granted. Because one day they’re here and tomorrow they’re gone. So we should all be aware of how much we should appreciate what and who we have today.”

Silence.

Dad: “A-ha! What do you have to say now – nothing?!”

Kid: “Nope.”

And just like that, the tables turned. Dad looked at me with a smug smile on his face, clearly proud that he had just sent his little boy into a tailspin, for a change – one that will probably stick with him forever.

Meanwhile, the light turned green, and the three of us got stuck at the closed door. I turned around and said, “Well, I guess we’ll have to appreciate a bit longer what we have now. At least, until the store opens again.”

We all smiled at each other and parted ways.

 

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It’s funny how an accidental and a completely random encounter can make you revisit the most valuable lessons in life. So, appreciate what and who you have – you never know when the end of the lifespan may arrive. And enjoy your weekend, wherever you may be, whatever you may be doing, and whomever you may be with.