DEBORAH CORRAO / L’Observateur / January 14, 2000

I don’t know about you, but as I embark on this new millennium I’ve been thinking more and more about time – how we take the gift of time for granted, how we misuse our time, how it escapes from us before we know it.

This really hit home for me this week as the husband of a friend of mine was diagnosed with a life-threatening disease. A month ago this man was having afew nagging problems but going to work every day and carrying on with his normal routine.

For me, the lesson hits home that our lives are indeed very precious and that none of us is guaranteed a specific time here on earth. Unfortunately, it takestragedy to remind us that our days are measured.

The year 2000 has taken off like a whirlwind in my home. Everyone is back toschool and work and other activities after the relative restfulness of the holidays. Life has once again become a logistical nightmare as evidenced by thehuge calendar we now keep open on the countertop. All of us have to worktogether as a team to make sure everyone gets where they have to go, that we have food and medicine and other necessities, that our finances are taken care of and bills paid, that the pets are fed and cared for, that all of our obligations are met.

And, when I have time to ponder all of this (usually at the crack of dawn before everyone else gets up), I am filled with gratitude for the life that I have and for the opportunity I have to interact with others I meet along this path we call life.

Among my other millennium resolutions is a new resolve to try to take a few more moments out of each busy day to hold one of my grandchildren, to pet the dog, to call a friend just to say “hello.”This resolution won’t cost me anything but a little time – and time, like a smile, becomes more valued when it is shared with others.

So I challenge each of you to take a little of that precious gift called time and give it to someone you love.

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