I have moved the Nov. 1 Portland Press Herald around for three months; every time I move it, I see Bill Nemitz’s face staring at me, compelling me to reply to his column (“Savor time because it waits for no one”).

I’m too busy, I’ll get to it, I just don’t have time right now. However, that is exactly what compels me – what Nemitz says about time.

His words struck a chord, for I, too, understand the struggle with time. Although my own diagnosis was over 22 years ago, the preoccupation never quite leaves you.

Do I have time to do such and such? Did I take time to tell him/her I loved her, how much I care, how sorry I am, how much I pray for forgiveness? Do I use my time “wisely” or play silly games of Spades when I don’t know how much time I have left? Do I laugh every day?

Today it snowed, and I listened to people saying, “This is a major setback.” Privately, I thought it is God’s gift, it is gorgeous, it is life; it is cold and warm at the same time.

I recalled a day in 1992 during a nasty stretch of chemo treatments; it was raining, and workmates complained about how wet they were and hoped it would stop. Again, secretly, I was grateful that I got to wear my red Wellies and splash in a big puddle and that I was still alive and grateful for another day.

I just wanted to thank Bill Nemitz for reminding me about the gift of time. Tears roll down my cheeks right now as I think about making a snowman and using a bright orange carrot, good buttons, plump raisins, a warm hat and my very best scarf, as I relish my time – for however long it is.

Rosemarie De Angelis

South Portland


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