Are the years getting shorter? Time seems to be passing too quickly...Duncan reminded me New Year's Eve that I was entering my eighth decade-is that even possible to be 60 plus and have lived in eight different decades? Somehow it makes 60 seem even older. I did have a GRAND year with friends and family sharing many memories to treasure. As I enter the eighth decade I somehow feel the need to "hurry up and do it all". Sadly at this age I feel that the hill is climbed and I am on the other side-not all bad but does give me pause. What to do first? Spend more time with family and friends, take time to enjoy it all and not worry about what cannot be changed. Life is short; sadly I was reminded of this when a college friend passed away late in 2009. Dr. Bettye Rose Connell was one of a kind-although I had lost direct contact with her I have great memories of our four years together at UNC-G. We were a special group of college friends, many who do our best to keep in touch via emails but often that is not enough. What a treat when I was at the Grove Park Inn in early January for the "Best of Our State" event with my mom, her sister Mark and my "cousin-in-law" Genia, sat down and was treated to a wonderful conversation with Linda & Al from Warrenton, NC who knew the Connells, the Johnsons and the Quicks-all friends from college life in the late 60's. In addition the Friday evening entertainment was "All Batten and the Blue Grass Reunion"; Al was a friend from my high school days. A 2010 resolution? Take the time to look around, say a kind word, share stories, be patient, take time to enjoy the moment. How grateful I was for that moment to meet someone who had known Bettye Rose and her family and to remember what a special part of my life she was. Leslie often says that we (the American society) need to spend time in a foreign environment-it would teach us all a measure of patience. Time is often measured in personal moments-not hours and minutes. My decade will be filled with special memory moments-who cares if it is the eighth?