My brother in law opened the bottom drawer of my sister's cupboard and lifted out a tissue wrapped package! "This" he said, "is not a slip. This is lingerie."
And he handed me the slip. It was an exquisite silk slip with an astronomical price tag attached to it. "Jan bought it at least eight or nine years ago when we went to New York. She kept it for a special occasion. Well I guess this is the special occasion." he said as he placed the box next to the other things he was taking to the funeral house. He turned to me and said: "Never save something for a special occasion. Every day in your life is a special occasion".
I remembered those words all through my journey back home and they've changed my life. I'm learning to appreciate the beauty around me. 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've learnt that life should be a pattern of experience to savor, not endure. I no longer keep anything. I use crystal glasses every day.. I'll wear new clothes to go to the supermarket, if feel like it. I don't save my special perfume for special occasions; I use it whenever I want to. I've learned to enjoy all that I have.
The words "Someday..." and "One of these days..." are no longer in my vocabulary. If it's worth seeing, listening or doing, I want to see, listen or do it now. I don't know what my sister would have done if she knew she wouldn't be there the next morning. 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. I would regret it, because I would no longer see the friends I would meet, letters... that I wanted to write "One of these days"… I would regret and feel sad because I didn't tell my loved ones, not times enough at least, how much I love them.
Now, I try not to delay, postpone or put off anything that would add laughter and luster to our lives. Every morning, when I open my eyes, I tell myself that it is special. Every day, every minute, every breath is truly a gift from God. May love litter your life with blessings!
If you have a tender message,
Or a loving word to say,
Don't wait till you forget it,
But whisper it today!
The tender words unspoken,
The letter never sent,
The long-forgotten messages,
The wealth of love unspent.
For these some hearts are breaking,
For these some loved ones wait,
Then give them what they're needing,
Before it is too late!
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