August 05, 2005
Thoughts to Live By
I received the following in an email from my dad and stepmom. Now that I'm "getting up there in age," as in over 30, these types of emails are starting to make more sense.
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.Posted by Kasey on August 5, 2005 10:44 AM | Filed Under: LifeWhenever 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.
I've received this in email more times than I can remember but I always appreciate the truth it reinforces. In the hustle and bustle of our busy lives we often don't take the time to stop and appreciate what's really important - living in the moment. Since finding out my Mom has cancer I've taken a very different look at life and how fragile it really is.
I cherish the gift of "the present". And always will. :)
Thanks, Kasey