One thing you can bet on

As this month comes to a close, I am astonished at how fast 2010 has passed.  That, along with all the talk of school starting for another year has got me thinking about time.  As Jim Rohn says, "Time is more valuable than money.  You can get more money, but you can't get more time."  Huh.  I can buy, purchase or attain many, many things.  But, time isn't one of them.  It gets you thinking...at least, it did me. 

Amanda & Michael 

So as this topic has continued to be on my mind this past week, I start to ponder on things in my life.  Like how 10 years ago, this very month, my life changed so dramatically.  Sure, at the time it was big, but most things at that point seemed like little steps.  But, now that I've allowed time to pass, I see the real change.  I started college.  I moved away from a very good home with very good parents to a small Indiana town.  I remember thinking on the night before I moved into my dorm, "WHAT am I doing here??!!"   I left almost everyone I knew and was starting again.  I was starting anew.  So as I reflect back on what will always be some of the best years of my life, I see all the growth and the extreme change I experienced...and, I see how full it has made my life.   I see how I developed some of the closest friends,  no, not just friends; sisters.  Going from lounging around, partying and sorority meetings in college with Carlie & Amanda to holding Carlie's first child the night he was born, to smiling at Amanda as she married a wonderful man.  

Carson Hamilton 

                   Time.  

I look to my niece, Jordee, and my nephew, Tim.  They both started school this week--as a sophomore(!) and Fourth grader (!)  And, I wonder, where did the time go???  How are they that old?  They fulfill my life in ways that are hard to verbalize, but my heart and soul can easily illustrate.  How very full they have made my life.  

Tim & Jordee

Time.  

Just a few weeks ago I was in Cape Cod for the wedding of one of my dearest friends to an amazing man.  Sarah and I were friends and soccer teammates since grade school.  After eight years together, our lives took us different ways, but no matter the distance or path we were on nor time that passed, our friendship remained.  And, the same is true for the rest of the group who were there to share in that special day with her.  As I think back, our lives took these five friends from Assumption and scattered us about, but no matter the amount of time that's passed us, we pick right back up where we left off.  It's an almost indescribable friendship we experience.  Time passes.  But the love.  The understanding.  The fun.  It just picks right up where we left it.  Such a wonderful fullness they each bring to my life.  

The Five together again! 

                    Time.  

My dear sister.  How much time has passed us?  I remember so many things - from jumping in fall leaves with you, to fighting over mirror space in the bathroom we shared.  There has been good, hysterical, indifference and bad with us...I think like all sisters must experience on their journey through life together.  Time is healing; it's a creator of new chapters; and, I look forward to yours...how full you've made my life.  

The Pellerito Girls

So in the end, it is the one thing you can bet on...time will come and time will go.  Often times, it passes too quickly or too slowly, but never at the right speed.  As I reflect on this passage of time, I remember all that has been so good to me, that has made my life so very full.  I can't wait to see what the next 10 years brings...

In closing (of this very long post!), I can't think of a better way to say it than how Harvey McKay did.  "Time is free, but priceless.  You can't own it, but you can use it.  You can't keep it, but you can spend it.  Once you've lost it you can never get it back." 

I hope you spend your time to the fullest...