'I Hope You Dance... '
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 nowI'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.
"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!
Be Blessed!
6 comments:
Hi Lorie,
Oh I love that. It is so true. We are so consumed with how many calories that were in the dumb cookie....JUST EAT IT!! Sorry, I am on a tangent about weight loss today. It's so hard. Why can't I just love myself the way I am??
Hugs,
LeAnn:)
that kind of reminds me of the dance by garth brooks...we had a primary song fest at church yesterrday and i thought i saw my daughter karen up there singing and then i thought that girl is 4 and my karen 40....i will see my karen at thanksgiving, and my second daughter becky and my son tony, and my son dan, and my son mike
That was beautiful! We really do need to make sure that we savor every moment. :)
Take time to stop and smell the flowers..... My kids came home yesterday from school, and were so excited about the weather, you could see it in their faces. I was like wow, yes that's what I'm talking about,take time to recognize the changes in the air. They commented that our house smelled like fall. Aww, that was a good moment!
BEAUTIFUL (TYPED WITH TEARS IN MY EYES) IT REMINDS ME OF MY GREAT GRANDMOTHER! THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME THAT!
Turn the music up and let's dance! I loved the entry. I remember years ago older family members told me similar advice...now I'M the older family member! I will now pass this sentiment on! Thanks!
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