By Greg Hyland, CPM
Greg.Hyland@YumaAZ.gov

As I write my final “President’s” article for CPM Connection, I’m torn in my emotions. I’m not sure if I’m happy, sad, depressed, or just feel ehh. But, since this is my last opportunity I have to share my thoughts and feelings with you as your President, I’m going to use my Presidential prerogative and do just that.

For the past four years, I’ve had my entire focus on the Academy and our future. Trust me when I say, it’s been like being in a whirlwind. It’s hard to believe I’ll soon be moving into the Past President’s (has been) chair. I don’t know where the time has gone, but it’s gone somewhere. We’ve had some great times and some not so great times. But by and large, most of them have been good.

Those of you that know me have heard me talk about family. We are a family, one BIG family, but a family. And with any family, not all of us always get along with each other. We have those we love, those we like, those we don’t really care for and those we’d like to keep locked up in the closet. But, that’s our family.

I already mentioned how I didn’t know where the time had gone. This really hit home the other day. I recently had the misfortune to have to purchase a new desktop PC. As I was moving files, I came across some photographs taken just as I was finishing my first year as the Member-at-Large for Conferences and Communications in late 2005.

The photograph above shows my daughters Ashley and Chelsea in the fall of 2005 during one of our annual visits to the “Mouse House” in California.

Compare it to the photograph on the right of Ashley as Sarah Palin this Halloween and you’ll know why I feel like I’ve entered a time warp. I now know that it’s time to listen to what I’ve been telling others, slow down, enjoy your time and take time for family. As my good friend and co-worker Kay Eldridge continues to tell me, “Don’t be so busy making a living that you forget to make a life.” Easy words to say, but for those of us in public service, they’re not so easy to live by…More >