I received this in an email this week. I thought it was appropriate for today!
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A friend of mine opened his wife's underwear drawer and picked up a silk paper wrapped package. 'This', he said 'isn't any ordinary package.' He unwrapped the box and stared at both the silk paper and the box. 'She got this the first time we went to New York , 8 or 9 years ago. She has never put it on , and was saving it for a special occasion. Well, I guess this is it.'
He got near the bed and placed the gift box next to the other clothing he was taking to the funeral house, for his wife had just died. He turned to me and said, 'Never save something for a special occasion. Every day in your life is a special occasion'.
I still think those words changed my life. Now I read more and clean less. I sit on the porch without worrying about anything. I spend more time with my family, and less at work. I understood that life should be a source of experience to be lived up to, not survived through. I no longer keep anything. I use crystal glasses every day. I'll wear new clothes to go to the supermarket, if I feel like it. I don't save my special perfume for special occasions, I use it whenever I want to.
The words 'Someday...' and 'One Day...' are fading away from my speech. If it's worth seeing, listening or doing, I want to see, listen or do it now! I don't know what my friend's wife would have done if she knew she wouldn't be there the next morning, this nobody can tell. I think she might have called her relatives and closest friends. She might call old friends to make peace over past quarrels. I'd like to think she would go out for Chinese, her favorite food. It's these small things that I would regret not doing, if I knew my time had come. Each day, each hour, each minute, is special. Live for today, for tomorrow is promised to no-one.
If you're reading this, it's because someone cares for you and because, probably, there's someone you care about. If you're too busy to share this with other people and you say to yourself that you will send it 'One of these days' , remember that 'One day' is far away... or might never come...
Sunday, February 1, 2009
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10 comments:
That is definitely something to remember! Of course none of my underwear is that special. LOL!
Very true. I do live by the motto 'you only live once'.
It made me ponder through the last week events, did I put anything off! I do have to say, that out of the blue my hubby brought home champainge & Strawberries and after the kids went to bed, we enjoyed!
Instead of waiting for the night out, or the day they move out, we just have our evenings anyway, because "what if" those days aren't there once we have the time....
I've seen this before and it really has such a powerful message!
So very true...you just can't keep putting things off.
Great story Jeannie.
We ALL need to remember this. I suggest we print it out and tack it to the wall next to our computers. Then we can be reminded of this daily.
Great post, Jeannie!
I've received this a couple times via email, and it always makes me cry when I read it.
I Loved it! Makes you think. This is why my kids get to use the fancy glasses at dinner! ;) OK today is the day, It's my first giveaway on my blog. Come on over and say hi!
Thanks
Jen
That story makes a great point. Thanks for posting it.
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