My friend opened his wife's dresser drawer and took out a bag wrapped in silk paper. It was not just any bag, but a bag of laundry.
He threw the bag away and looked at the silk and lace. "I bought this for her when we were in New York for the first time. It was 8 or 9 years ago. She had never worn it. She wanted to save it for a special occasion. And now I think it's that time." He walked over to the bed and placed the linen with the other things he had taken from the funeral home. His wife died. When he turned to me, he said, "Don't save anything for special; every day you live is a special occasion."
I still think about those words... they changed my life. Today I read more and clean things up less. I sit on the veranda and enjoy the view, not paying attention to the weeds in the garden. I spend more time with my family and friends and less time at work. I realized that life is a collection of experiences that are worth appreciating... And now I don't save anything anymore: I use my crystal glasses every day. If necessary, I put on my new jacket to go to the supermarket. I also wear my favorite perfume whenever I want, instead of only wearing it on holidays. Words like "one day" or "someday" are banished from my vocabulary. If it's worth it, I want to see, hear and do things now and here. I'm not entirely sure what my friend's wife would do if she knew she wouldn't be there tomorrow (tomorrow is often so easily perceived).
I think she would have called family and close friends. Maybe she would call a couple of old friends to make up or apologize for old fights.
I really like the idea that she would go to a Chinese restaurant (her favorite food). These are the little imperfections that would bother me if I knew my days were numbered. I would be annoyed if I didn't see the friends I was supposed to "somehow" connect with. It would be annoying if I didn't write the letters I wanted to write "someday." It would be annoying if I didn't tell my loved ones so often how much I love them.
Now I don’t miss, I don’t put off, I don’t save anything that could bring joy and a smile into our lives. I tell myself that every day, like every minute, is something special.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru