Five-minute reflections on the word fast

by | May 2, 2022 | Faith, Family | 14 comments |

Fast, as an adjective

I am a fast horse, galloping across the field in front of our house, or a bear, loping through woods, or a bird, leaping off the living room sofa into my father’s arms. I want to fly, too, and often do, climbing the highest trees and swaying wildly in the wind. I ride my bike down dangerous hills with my sisters and fast friends in our rural Connecticut neighborhood, all of us shouting, “Look ma, no hands!” 

Summers last forever, but the hands on the clock make fast work of my childhood.

Fast, as an adverb

Events follow fast upon one another. I am a teacher; I am a wife; I am a mother; I am a single parent. I hold fast to my children, guiding them as best I can. I sleep fast rather than fall fast asleep. After coming to believe, I open my hands and pray.

Summers slip by all too fast, and soon my galloping children fly away.

Fast, as noun and verb

The weight-loss advertisement on Twitter shows women at various ages. For those over 65, the ad recommends no breakfast and abstaining from food at night and intermittent fasts. I do not like to fast but do so before medical procedures and in solidarity with others and to be steadfast.

No fast for us this past week. Keith and I celebrated his 75th birthday, first with fast friends, then with a neighbor, then the two of us here out to dinner, then the two of us at home. How fast those 75 years went, and my 75th is fast approaching.

Rather than worry about social media standards and fasting, Keith and I focus on finishing well. We look forward with hope and being able to say what Paul said in 2 Timothy 4:7: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

Fast friends, the adjective; holding fast, the adverb; fast from food, the noun; fast-forward, the verb.

Link up with Five Minute Friday: https://fiveminutefriday.com/2022/04/28/fmf-writing-prompt-link-up-fast/

14 Comments

  1. Luanne

    It’s fascinating the many ways to use certain words.

    Reply
    • Carole Duff

      Fascinating and fun to explore word usage and subtle meanings. Thank you for your comment, Luanne! -C.D.

      Reply
  2. dawnfanshawe

    What a refreshing post, as your lives flashed before my eyes! Congratulations on your 75 years each of you.

    Reply
    • Carole Duff

      Thank you, Dawn, and good to meet you! -C.D.

      Reply
    • Carole Duff

      Thank you, my friend! Trust all is well. -C.D.

      Reply
  3. Sandra K Stein

    Love what you’ve done with this week’s prompt.
    Wonderful post.

    Reply
    • Carole Duff

      Thank you, Sandra! -C.D.

      Reply
  4. bigskybuckeye

    Carole, this is such a blessed post. As we mature, we begin to understand that our approach to life doesn’t need to be fast. God has been holding the reins all along. Blessings to you and Keith.

    Reply
    • Carole Duff

      Ah, thank you, Richard, for your wise words and encouragement. Bless you! -C.D.

      Reply
  5. mrsgibson8450

    I love the glimpses at your life through one word. Happy birthday to your husband!

    Reply
    • Carole Duff

      Thank you, thank you! -C.D.

      Reply

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