You spend your life acquiring things. You care about getting a home, a car, clothes, sometimes its the most updated computer, ipod, or a cell phone that does everything. Maybe it is jewelry or stamps in your passport that you want to acquire.

At the end of our life adventure none of that matters as much as knowing you made people smile, that you felt love and that you made a difference.

My dear friend David Hallal has lead an extraordinary life. He's seen much of the world, loved and been loved, been a source of smiles overflowing and certainly has made a positive difference in the world.

As he struggles in his battle against cancer he wants only two things. They can't be purchased at any store. He simply wants to die at home and not be alone.

In a similar situation, I would want three things. To not die in a hospital. To not be alone. And most important to be remembered.

David never has to worry or think twice about whether he will be remembered, the difference he has made in my life and the lives of many others is etched in our hearts forever and beyond.

Maybe impatience has become the side effect to our turbo powered, never enough hours in the day, microwave lives.

Have you noticed; that if you delay an extra moment before stepping on the gas at a stoplight, invariably someone will honk, maybe even yell or wave and obscene jester?

Have you noticed; that if you are in a drive-thru and get delayed because they are cooking fresh fries or the person in front has a large or special order, you start looking at your watch and fidgeting in your seat?

Have you noticed; that if you are in an express line to check-out and the person in front of you has 11 instead of 10 items you become annoyed?

Do you find that instead of corresponding with friends you simply forward e-mails? You don't even take the time to cut and paste the joke or message and add a personal note or comment.

Do you find that instead of communicating to individuals, you send your messages to groups? Has your alphabetical address book been replaced or enhanced by an electronic one where friends, collegues and family members have been grouped together?

How often do you use your stove? Has it been replaced by eating out, take out, delivery, the George Foreman Grill and the microwave?

Multi-tasking used to be a fine art, juggling multiple responsibilites, doing more than one thing at once; now it is a requirement.

Taking time to have a personal conversation was important. Keeping in touch was a priority. Now there is very little private or personal conversations. People are talking on the phone everywhere!

With the creation of tiny cell phones, microphones and earpieces, it is no longer possible to tell if the person is a little crazy and is talking to himself or having a conversation with someone else.

Technology has connected people 21 - 7. It is like a leash that can interrupt someone during an important meeting or going to the bathroom. When turned on there are few places you can't be reached.

Please don't misunderstand, I am myself an active participant in this fast paced world that never seems to have enough hours in the day. I love technology and yearn to learn more about all that is available and its uses.

Sometimes I find I am rushing too fast thru this adventure of life.

I take time to smell the roses but it is a fast snif. I'm guilty of all I described and questioned, but maybe after writing this and seeing it in print I will try harder to show kindness instead of impatience as I go through my turbo powered day.

I'm about to board another flight. Instead of jumping up to get in line, I think I'll sit here for a few more minutes. I won't hurry to wait.

I'm flying high above the clouds enroute to Atlanta and then on to Cleveland.

The sun has just risen on the horizon and the sky outside my window is ablaze with crimson, orange and yellow streaks. It is clear enough to see the towns below, homes filled with people getting ready to begin their day.

As I look out, it is impossible for me to not believe in miracles. Here I am flying through the sky with a bird's eye view of the vastness of our universe. I am sure there is a God, a supreme being.

It is a reassuring thought. My dearest friend David Hallal has been struggling in his battle with cancer. I'm going to Cleveland to share more time with him.

David is a remarkable person who has always had an abundance of energy and radiates a positive spirit.

Now he is growing weaker. The cancer that began in his colon has spread to his liver and lungs. Nevertheless his spirit is still inspirational. His faith is strong and his concerns are for his family, friends and devoted employees, not for himself.

That doesn't come as a surprise to me as David has always been a "George Bailey" type of person. As in the movie, "It's A Wonderful Life", David has always been the responsible one, the person who gets things done, the person who takes care of things.

Over the 15 years it has been my priviledge and pleasure to entwine my life adventure with his, I have witnessed him making strangers smile and feel good about themselves because of a kind word or gesture he made.

I've seen him rearrange his schedule, forgo his own plans in order to be there to help his family.

His teaching was never limited to the classroom. David always was willing to listen and offer objective advice and counsel.

I loved the way he could plant an idea and then watch as someone thought of it on their own.

Above all else I love the way David's heart has no bounds. He gives unconditional love.

I pray David receives the miracle he so richly deserves. There is no doubt he is a miracle in my life. I am forever, "Hallalized".