Standing to the side of time's river

My father passed away in 1991, but I remember the things he said to me, and they are present to me in a still powerful and formative way. I think it is an earnest of our immortality that we can stand to the side of time's river and let things long past continue to dwell in us; and not just as remnants, either. Who knows, but that some experience I have long forgotten will someday return and be a central and powerful part of my future days?

Anthony Esolen, Word of the Week essay: Time

I never would have thought of immortality this way but it is a striking image and acknowledgement of how our humanity interacts with time.