> > Subject: Re: Time > >> > > > > > > > This was written by an 83-year-old woman to her friend. The last line > > > says it all. > > > > > > 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 had they known they wouldn't be > > > here for the tomorrow that we all take for granted. > > > > > > 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 a > > > Chinese dinner or for whatever their favorite food was. > > > > > > I'm guessing; I'll never know. > > > > > > It's those little 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, tell myself that it is special. Every day, every minute, > > > every breath truly is a gift from God. > > > > > > If you received 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. > > > > > > Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might > > > as well dance. > > >