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The old man opened the drawer of his wife's chest
and took a packet wrapped with rice paper: "This," he said, "is
not any packet, it is lingerie". He threw away the paper and he observed
the beautiful silk and embroidery.
"We bought it the first time we went to New
York, 8 or 9 years ago.
She never used it. She was keeping it for a
special occasion. Well I think this is the right occasion".
He went close to the bed and he put it next to the other things he was going to
bring to the funeral home. His wife had just died.
Turning towards me he said: "Do not
keep anything for a special occasion, everyday that you live is a special
occasion." I am still thinking of his words...they have changed my life.
Now I read more and clean less. I sit in the terrace and admire the view,
without noticing the weeds in the garden. I spend more time with my family and
friends and less time working. I understood that life is a succession of
experiences to be enjoyed, not survival. I do not keep anything anymore. I
use my crystal glasses every day. wear my new jacket to go to the
supermarket, if I so decide or if I feel like it.
I no longer keep my best perfume for special
events, I use it every time I want to. The word someday...has disappeared
from my vocabulary. If it is worth to listen, see or do, I want to listen,
see or do it now. I am not sure what my friend's wife would have done if
she had known that she would have not been here for that tomorrow that
every one takes so much for granted. I think she might have called all her
relatives and intimate friends. Maybe she would have called some old
friends to make amends for an old dispute. I like to think she might have
gone to eat some oriental food, her favourite. It is these few things not
done that would bother me if I knew these were my last hours. I would be
upset because I stopped seeing good friends that I meant to contact someday.
Upset because I did not write those letters I meant to write one day.......Upset
and sad because I did not tell often enough to those close to me, how much I
love them.
Now I try not to postpone, keep or not do
anything that would add laughter and fun to our lives. And every day I
tell myself that this day is special.......everyday, every hour, every minute is
special. If you have received this message it is because someone cares for
you and because they're most likely people that you love. If you are too
busy to send it to other people and you tell yourself that you will do it
sometime...this time may be very far....and you may never do it.... Live
everyday to the fullest.
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