I have noticed that as I get older I have lost that desire to work. Every Saturday I would clean house. Every Sunday I would do yard work. During the week I would work my full time job and in the evening there was always some kind of chore to do. But now, as I get older and especially now that the weather has become nice, I don't want to do those things. I would rather sit in my Florida room with a good book in my hammock chair. Or maybe catch an hour nap in the sun. I would rather play then work. I want to spend my time taking walks along trails in parks, bicycling around neighborhoods, and going to estate & garage sales to find a special treasure. But I feel guilty. My friends call and I listen about their day. They tell how they prepared their gardens, cut the grass, cleaned the house. When ask what I'm up to, I say I'm sitting in my hammock, with a glass of wine, reading a book and waiting for my husband to tell me dinner is ready. They say "What a life you lead, you are so lucky." Yes, I am lucky, but I made my life this way. I don't worry about ALL the work that needs to be done. It will be there tomorrow. I'm also lucky to have a husband that likes to work around the house and since I still feel guilty I get off my fat behind and give a hand. But it's tough.

So, I'm reading my neighborhood newspaper and I come across this article written by an 83 year old woman to her friend. It's funny how I can come across things to make my guilt a little less. I would like to share this with you and to all those people that are taking the time to enjoy life maybe your guilt will be a little less and for all those people that feel the need to work, work, work. Maybe it’s time to “stop and smell the roses”.

I HOPE YOU DANCE...

Dear Bertha, I'm reading more and dusting less. I'm sitting in the year & admiring the view without fussing about the weeds in the garden. I'm spending more time with my family and friends and less time working. Whenever possible, life should be a pattern of experiences to savor, not to endure. I'm trying to recognize these moments now and cherish them. I'm not "saving" anything; we use our good china & crystal for every special event such as losing a pound, or getting the sink unstopped. I wear my good blazer to the market. My theory is if I look prosperous, I can shell out $28.49 for one small bag of groceries. I'm not saving my good perfume 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. If it's work seeing or hearing or doing...I want to see and hear and do it NOW! I'm not sure what others would've done had they known they wouldn't be here for the tomorrow that we all take for granted. I think they would have called family members and a few close friends. They might have called a former friends to apologize and mend fences for past squabbles. I like to 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 loved 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 that I awoke! Tell those special people in your life how much they mean to you. Don't put if off any longer. Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here...we might as well dance!!! Every day every minute, every breath truly is a gift from God!

I hope you are having a day filled with things you truly want to do.