Posted by A friend (205.188.197.44) on February 12, 2002 at 10:23:49:
Dear Bertha,
I'm reading more and dusting less. I'm sitting in the yard and admiring the
view without fussing about the weeds in the garden. I'm spending more time
with my family and friends and less time working. Whenever possible, life
should be a pattern of experiences to savor, not to endure. I'm trying to
recognize these moments now and cherish them.
I'm not "saving" anything; we use our good china and crystal for every
special event such as losing a pound, getting the sink unstopped or the first
amaryllis blossom. I wear my good blazer to the market. My theory is if I
look prosperous, I can shell out $28.49 for one small bag of groceries. I'm
not saving my good perfume for special parties, but wearing it for clerks in
the hardware store and tellers at the bank.
"Someday" and "one of these days" are losing their grip on my vocabulary. If
it's worth seeing or hearing or doing, I want to see and hear and do it now.
I'm not sure what others would've done. I think they would have called
family members and a few close friends. They might have called a few former
friends to apologize and mend fences for past squabbles. I like to think
they would have gone out for Chinese dinner or for whatever their favorite
food was. I'm guessing; I'll never know.
It's those litle things left undone that would make me angry if I knew my
hours were limited. Angry because I hadn't written certain letters that I
intended to write one of these days. Angry and sorry that I didn't tell my
husband and parents often enough how much I truly love them.
I'm trying very hard not to put off, hold back, or save anything that would
add laughter and luster to our lives. And every morning when I open my eyes,
I tell myself that it is special. Every day, every minute, every breath
truly is a gift from God.
If you receive this, it is because someone cares for you. If you're too busy
to take the few minutes that it takes right now to forward this, would it be
the first time you didn't do the little thing that would make a difference in
your relationships? I can tell you it certainly won't be the last.
Take a few minutes to send this to a few people you care about, just to let
them know that you're thinking of them. "People say true friends must always
hold hands, but true friends don't need to hold hands because they know the
other hand will always be there."
I don't believe in miracles. I rely on them.
(Thanks Bill L)