As his wife, Martha, lay dying at the age of 34, Thomas Jefferson and she took turns copying out by hand this passage from the Laurence Sterne novel, The Life and Opinions of Tristam Shandy, Gentleman. Martha wrote:
"Time wastes too fast: every letter I trace tells me with what rapidity life follows my pen, the days and hours of it are flying over our heads like clouds of a windy day never to return more--everything presses on--
Thomas completed the passage:
"--and every time I kiss thy hand to bid adieu, every absence which follows it, are preludes to that eternal separation which we are shortly to make.
* * *
Today, Chloe drew this picture of our family:
And the rapidity of Hannah's pen made this:
A living time of memories was had this July 4th with family. The time is flying by. Every moment is precious and one is caught within the lines of hearts connecting and lives elapsing. Gladness abides in each moment of each day. I am grateful for my children and my life each moment of each day. Life is the blessing of the children's pictures and each line is long on joy for us all.