This essay, "Time Waits For No Man or Woman aired on WFPL's NPR station in Louisville, KY in 2006.

TIME WAITS FOR NO MAN OR WOMAN

How many of us know people who are always late? I’m not talking a couple of minutes, but more like an hour to anytime they feel like making an appearance. It does not seem to matter what time you give them. It could be eastern standard or central. It does not matter because they reside in their own time zone.
I feel like I am a forgiving person. I can count on one hand the times anyone (outside my family) has really made me mad, but being chronically late really pushes my buttons. I grew up in a family where time was of the essence. It was an insult to be late when someone invited you to an event, or God forbid, you had an appointment of some kind.
I can still hear my Dad’s voice in my ear an hour before time to leave. “Are you ready yet? (Yes, Daddy, I’m ready.) Then what you waitin’ for, then. Reckon you might as well go on. You never know ‘bout that there traffic. You might get all tied up and be late!”
After years of Daddy’s constant warnings, it was easier to be an hour early than to listen to him. Of course, I’d usually spend at least half an hour sitting in the car. Doctor’s visits, from my father’s perspective, were sacred.
“I don’t see why you don’t just go on.”
“But, Daddy, my appointment isn’t for another hour.”
“So what? You go on now, reckon they just might take you in early!”
Getting in early for my Dad was like winning the lottery. Just look at all the time you could save. Of course, he never counted the time wasted waiting in doctor’s offices where you were rarely seen on time, anyway.

Luckily, I married a man who is just like me. We’re always on time, and usually early. At work, if I’m not at least a half hour early my fellow teachers are ready to check the local hospitals. Early to bed, early to rise, has not made me healthy, wealthy or particularly wise, but it has seen to it that I am never late.

Connie Meyer