Life should be savored, not endured

A letter from an 83-year-old woman to her friend

“Dear Berta!

I am reading more and more and dusting less and less. I sit in the yard and enjoy nature without worrying about the weeds in the garden. I spend more time with my family and friends and less time at work.

Life is meant to be savored, not endured. Now I try to realize these moments and appreciate them.

I don’t “save” anything: I use the family porcelain and crystal every day. I wear a good coat to the market. I don’t save my favorite perfume for special occasions, I wear it when I go to the store or the bank.

The words “someday” and “one day” are losing their power in my vocabulary. If it’s worth seeing or hearing or doing, I want to see and hear and do it right now.

I’m not sure what others would do if they knew they weren’t going to be here tomorrow, but we take everything for granted. I think they would call family members and some close friends. They might call a few former friends to apologize and mend fences. I think they would have gone to a cafe to eat their favorite food.

These are the little things that I didn’t finish, and it would have made me angry if I knew that my hours were running out.

I was angry because I didn’t write some of the letters I wanted to write. I was angry and sorry that I didn’t tell my husband and parents how much I loved them often enough.

I try very hard not to put off or delay anything that can add laughter and sparkle to our lives. And every morning when I open my eyes, I tell myself that this morning is special. Every day, every minute, every breath is a real gift.

Life cannot be a constant party, but while we are here, we must dance.”