Most people can get used to everything eventually. This is not the case for me. Given my age, by now I should be accustomed to changing the clock in my car and in my house and on my numerous wristwatches. According to my calculations, if I became responsible for making these changes when I got married at age 19, I have been doing it for 61 years. Since it happens twice a year, that means this is the 122nd time I have done it. But I am not accustomed to doing it nor do I like doing it. It has always been an annoyance and will likely continue to be one.
For the past ten years I have steadfastly refused to get on a step ladder, but getting on one of those things is the only way I can change the time on my kitchen clock, as it sits high on the wall at approximately nine feet. I have no problem changing the clocks on my night table, my stovetop, and my oven, as all of them are easily accessible. I usually get help changing the clock in my car, but every now and then I figure out how to change it by myself. The problem is that on those rare occasions when I have done it without help, I never remember how I did it. Happily, the computer clock, the television clock, and the iPhone clock all adjust automatically so I don’t need to do a thing with those.
As I write these words, the deed has been done. All watches and clocks are back on Eastern Standard Time. My daughter, or perhaps it will be my son-in-law, will change the clock in my car as they are currently borrowing it while one of their cars is being repaired. Every favor comes with a penalty, and unless my daughter and son-in-law are reading this article, they don’t know yet that setting the clock will be their “penalty.”
For several years there has been chatter about time change, including news reports advising the public that Congress will be doing away with this time change nonsense. As of now, only Hawaii and Arizona have eliminated Daylight Saving Time and, since I have no plans to leave New York, this does nothing for me. Were it to happen here in the Empire State, it would mean there would no longer be both an Eastern Standard Time and a Daylight Saving Time. I don’t know which one will be eliminated and frankly I don’t care. I just wish our esteemed members of Congress would make up their minds! However, I am not optimistic. Congress moves very slowly—when they move at all.
I don’t wish to be morbid but I do need to be realistic; if Congress doesn’t hurry up and act on it, I won’t have too many years to enjoy it. Methuselah lived for 969 years. And we know that Moshe Rabbeinu lived to 120. Living to age 969 is unlikely for most people these days, and it is also doubtful that I will reach the age of 120, so I do wish these Senate members would speed things up so I can enjoy the elimination of time change. That’s just the way it is. n
Hannah Berman lives in Woodmere and can be reached at Savtahannah@aol.com or 516-295-4435. Read more of Hannah Berman’s articles on 5TJT.com.
