A New York Minute

March 7, 2026

Early Friday morning I was reading the printed newspaper version of my latest column, “A year ago: A memorable beach day.”

As I read it, a song came through my earbuds from Spotify — “New York Minute” by Don Henley.

The timing stopped me for a moment.

The song carries a simple reminder:

“In a New York minute, everything can change.”

Co-written by Henley and two others, the song appeared on his 1989 album The End of the Innocence.

Many of Henley’s songs from his solo career hit hard these days:

·         The End of the Innocence, the title track to that album, a song that touched me when I heard it while waiting on Dorinda one afternoon in Birmingham. A personal story for another time.

·         The Last Worthless Evening, moving on from the hurt of past relationships.

·         The Boys of Summer, of course, that one.

“New York Minute” was also later recorded by Henley’s old band, the Eagles, when they reunited in the 1990s — which helped keep the song alive for a new generation.

When Dorinda and I sat on the beach on March 2 last year, I didn’t know it would be our last beach day together.

It felt like an ordinary afternoon — lunch at the Pink Pony, a walk in the sand, a few photos on my phone as the sun started to drop.

Just a normal day.

But the older I get — especially since losing her almost 11 months ago — the more I realize how many moments in life only reveal their meaning later.

Sometimes it really is just a minute.

So if you’re lucky enough to have a good moment today — playing with your grandkids on the floor, a quiet walk with someone you love, or just one of those days that feels ordinary at the time — embrace it.

Everything can change in a New York minute.

Those minutes.

Hold on to them tight.