Hello, It's Dela again. I’m an online English teacher with a specialization in teaching all aspects of English (including pronunciation) through reading and books. You can follow me @delateaches on my social media and you can even sign up to Book Talk with Dela, my online book club for English lovers and learners on Telegram.
Here's a quote: "Time and Tide Wait for No Man."
The first time I heard that was from my dad. I was in middle school, and he would drive me in the mornings. We’d leave at a set time, but if I wasn’t ready, I’d have to walk up the hill to school. It was usually on a chilly morning when I was scrambling for my uniform sweater or a missing sock. He’d point to the small clock above the fireplace or maybe even his wristwatch and say, with a poetic flair, "Time and Tide Wait for No Man." I would always add, "Or woman."
Not having grown up near the sea, I didn’t fully understand the saying back then.
Just like the hands of a clock, which always move forward and never stop or go backward, the waves of the sea steadily rise with the tide, coming closer to shore. And if you don’t want to get soaked, you’d better move your beach umbrella and blanket back.
My dad passed away at the end of the summer at the age of 89-years old. He lived a full, beautiful life, surrounded by love and family. But even though his life was complete, mine came to a stop. At least, it felt like it did.
But here’s the truth: my clock is still ticking. All of ours are. And as you read this, I want to remind you that one lesson we learn from death is that Life is For the Living.
Life keeps moving. The clock keeps ticking. So I want you to make the most of it—do the things you love and spend time with the people who love you. That’s why I’m here, continuing to share the things I love with you. I may have paused for a moment, but I’m back to talk about one of my favorite things: books.
So what are we waiting for?
Stay tuned for more Book Talk with Dela, where I’ll share my thoughts on Zadie Smith’s White Teeth and help make books easier to read, especially for those whose first language isn’t English.
Happy reading!
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