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 s
quabbles. 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/Goddess.
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."

Life may not be the party we hoped for,
but while we are here we might as well dance.