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.
Take a few minutes and think why you are not going to the Reunion in August or Las Vegas this year for the Winter Reunion.
Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we
might as well dance, may the class of 61's party last a long long time.
