Tag Archives: Benjamin Franklin

It’s What Matters, Isn’t It?

“You may delay, but time will not.”

—Benjamin Franklin


Today’s story is about Peter O’ Malley.

Time with those we love. It’s what matters, isn’t it?

time with those we love

Peter O’Malley with his wife, Mary in 1976 at his daughter’s wedding.


Peter O’Malley was running his delivery route for Schaefer Beer on the evening of July 6, 1976. Suddenly, a heart attack dragged him down to the cold, linoleum floor at the Bohack grocery store in Port Jefferson Station, New York.

As he started to lose consciousness, he had only one thought, his daughter’s wedding a few months away. Who would walk her down the aisle?

Fortunately, a dentist and nurse were in the vicinity, administered CPR, and O’Malley went on to make a full recovery. A few months later, his daughter did get married, “and there he was, walking me down the aisle,” she fondly remembers.

O’Malley was 57 at the time of his heart attack. He lived another 37 years to age 93. He was there for the births of 11 grandchildren, and two great grandchildren.

Because of his near visit with death, Peter O’Malley recognized the point of it all.

time with those we love

Peter holding one of his great grandsons.

Time with those we love. It’s what matters, isn’t it?