Constantly racing to meet deadlines — getting things finished within a timeline come hell or high water — is a relatively new phenomenon in human history. When the Egyptians built pyramids, they expected the process to take decades. In setting sail for the new world, Columbus knew it would take considerably longer than the few hours now required to travel from Europe to North America. And when Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí was commissioned in 1883 to complete La Sagrada Familia "temple" in Barcelona, he surely anticipated a lengthy project. But as he was fond of saying, "My client is not in a hurry."

Each generation is astounded anew at the pace of the project. While planning our time in Spain, my unsuspecting daughter broke me the bad news: "The cathedral is under construction." I had to laugh; begun in 1882, the cathedral still has no confirmed ETA for completion. One reason is that it is an "expiatory" church, meaning all the money for construction has come from donations. Wouldn't you think that some wealthy member of the faithful — or even the Vatican — would ante up and get the darn thing finished?

It will be gorgeous. Already there are stunning stained glass windows and a soaring roof overhead. Granite support columns resemble graceful trees, with a ceiling that could be towering sunflowers. The exterior includes eight (so far, of the anticipated 12) spires bedecked with jewels and ceramic mosaics. And true to Gaudi's preference for the shapes found in nature, there isn't a straight line in the place. Overall, it is wildly imaginative and playful, and profoundly religious.

The manual tools used in the 19th century have been replaced by precise electric machines, construction methods have been steadily updated, and supervising architects have changed, but the intention and momentum remain the same. Living as we do in a world of instant everything, I have to admire an artist (he died in 1926) — and a city! — so willing to invest massive amounts of creative energy into a project that takes generations to complete. I hope I can remember it the next time I get impatient over a download that takes more than 60 seconds.