Dear Bertha


  • This was written by an 83-year-old
    woman to her friend. *The last line
    says it all. *
    Dear Bertha .I'm reading more and dusting less.
    I'm sitting in the yard and admiringthe view
    without fussing about theweeds in the garden.
    I'm spending more time withmy family and friends
    and less timeworking.
    pattern of experiences to savor, notto endure.
    I'm trying to recognizethese moments now
    and cherishthem.I'm not 'saving' anything; we use our
    good china and crystal for every specialevent such
    as losing a pound, getting the sink unstopped,
    or the firstAmaryllis blossom.I wear my good blazer to the market.
    My theory is if I look prosperous,
    I canshell out $28.49 for one small bag of groceries.
    I'm not saving my goodperfume 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.
    Ifit's worth seeing or hearing or doing,
    Iwant to see and hear and do it now !!
    I'm not sure what others would'vedone
    had they known they wouldn't be here
    for the tomorrow that we all take forgranted.
    I think they would have called family members
    and a fewclose friends.
    They might have calleda few former friends to apologize
    and mend fences for past squabbles.
    I liketo think they would have gone out for a Chinese dinner
    or for whatever their favorite food was.
    I'm guessing; I'll never know.It's 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!
  • I loved this!! Jada
  • Amen to that Sistah. And the last line is OH, SO VERY TRUE. I don't know how much time I have left (none of us do) but now more so than ever, I WANT IT TO BE GOOD!
  • Bobbi, thank you for this!
    I really needed to hear this message today
  • Thanks Bobbie..i to needed to be reminded at how speacial life is and how fast we can loose it.. and count my blessings, wtg chickie u made my day rosey