[Advice forwarded from an 83 year-old woman. She’s got 15 years on me, but
I’m listening to her words.]
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 $38.49 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 if they’d 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.
And 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. 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.
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. Life
may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well
dance.
And every morning when I open my eyes, I tell myself “Today is special.”
Every day, every minute, every breath truly is a gift from God. I no longer
believe in miracles; I rely on them.
~~
Dr Bob Griffin
[email protected] www.grif.net
“Jesus Knows Me, This I Love!”