Section 4 (28 June 1905 & Epilogue)
At the beginning of this passage, the author eludes to the concept of enjoying the present moment as a child and adult, together at the same moment in the story: a similar experience-- awake and happy. Then the next moment the adult has sprung from the present in the attempt to freeze the moment of time so that they can enjoy it longer. In comparison in the child's mind, they yearn to grow up as fast as possible to experience the next thing. As a child, we yearn to grow to the age when we can really live and experience life; as an adult, we feel that life passes us too quickly and we only wish that it would slow down so that we can appreciate it more. Where is that delicate balance where we can just be happy with the moment we are currently present in and are not looking to the future or reminiscing the past? Is there an age where the scales tip from one want to the other?
Throughout the novel of Einstein's Dreams, during the sections that talks about the specific experiences that Einstein went through, Einstein seemed to always be so busy with his work. Always entangled in his mind and thoughts. Never truly present. In the last Epilogue, Einstein had finished the mathematical model, his newly developed theory, that he had worked on for some time. As he handed the handwritten notes to the individual that would type out the document, it was the first time that he describes the feeling of being "empty." He is truly in that moment observing the birds flying above the alps. He doesn't yearn to correct his calculation or adjust his thought process. He is in that moment, not in the past or thinking about the future.
This left me thinking about how often in his lifetime he was able to achieve that 'truly present' moment in time.
What an incredible journey this entire book was. If you haven't read the entirety of Einstein's Dreams, I would certainly encourage it!