Dear Bertha

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 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 its 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 taht 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.
Ilike to think they would have gone out for a Chinese dinner
or for whatever their favourite food was.

I'm guessing; I'll never know.

Its 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.