Time is a concept that we most often wonder about and center our daily lives around. Twenty-four hours each day, 365 days a year, time is a constant reminder that everything is always changing and our being can be measured in seconds, minutes and hours.

A famous quote by Nelson Mandela said, “We must use time wisely and forever realize that the time is always ripe to do right.”

In spite of it all, use your time to make a difference in the world and you may even change a few lives in the process.

I always hope I can make a difference.

With that being said, my time at The Charlotte Gazette has come to an end. As I move on to pursue other ventures and tackle the game of life, I will cherish the lessons, memories and stories from my time here.

As a small community newspaper, forming relationships with those we serve is a huge part of being the voice for our community.

During this time, I have formed lifelong connections and discovered the reasons I love to call this place home. I have enjoyed my time serving as a voice for those who could not be heard and for those who positively impact and shape our community as we know it. Above all, I hope I have carried the longstanding tradition since 1873 of serving the community with news.

We are all lucky to be a part of Charlotte County and call this place home and I hope our community can continue to grow.

I hope you all will continue to be a voice in the community and I encourage you to stay informed and contribute by writing letters to the editor of the paper, attend board meetings, maybe even contribute with a guest column if the spark hits your heart.

As a community, we can shape the future for generations to come.

Italia Gregory is community editor of The Gazette. Her email address is Italia.Gregory@TheCharlotteGazette.com.