An old friend sent me an e-mail today. One of those circular things. It started like this…
“My friend opened the drawer of his wife’s chest and took a packet wrapped with rice paper: “This, he said, this 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, every day that you live is a special occasion.” I am still thinking of his words, they have changed my life. The word “someday” has disappeared from my vocabulary. 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, which was her favourite…
The message is longer but you get the gist.
Tonight I came home from the movies and logged on to my web newspaper to read that someone I once met a number of times had been found dead in her house. Her 4 year old daughter was playing nearby.
Ever get the feeling that someone is trying to tell you something?