DANCE LIKE NO ONE IS WATCHING

My father opened the drawer of my mother's dresser, The one that she never used, and after digging for a moment or two, he then slowly  lifted out a beautiful garment box inside was a tissue-wrapped package.  "This," He said,  "was your mother's favorite dress."  I thought that to  be strange that I had never seen her wearing it.  He discarded the tissue and handed me the dress.

It was exquisite; silk, handmade, and trimmed in a beautiful blue lace.  The price tag with a astronomical figure on it was  still attached .  "Your mom bought this the first time we went on a vacation more than 20 years ago.  She had never worn it.  She was saving it for a special occasion."

He took the silken dress from me and gently laid it on the bed with the other clothes we were taking to the mortician.  His hand lingered on the soft material for a moment, and then he slammed the drawer shut and turned to me.  As I watched tears began to fill in his eyes, and in a voice trembling with pain.  He quietly said to me.

"Don't ever save anything for a special occasion.  Everyday you are alive is a special occasion!"

I remembered  those words through the days that followed, when the family gathered, when the service was being held, and at the final goodbye, as I watched them lowered her to the grave.

I thought about them in the car while returning to my home, from the house, they had  lived many years together, I thought about all the things she hadn't seen , or heard or done.  I thought about the things that she had done without realizing they were special.  And about how I never told her that she was very special to me.

I'm still thinking about his words.  and they have changed my life. I'm reading more and dusting less.  I'm sitting on the couch and just relaxing, without fussing about the weeds in the garden.  I'm spending more time with my family and friends and less time working on the house.

Whenever possible, put aside a little time to do what  you want to do, not what you have to do.  Who said you have to endure your life.  Your life should be spent in an endless quest of happiness.  Take the time to listen to your dreams.  And follow your heart.  And savor all of the wonderful experiences you've had.  And pursue the one that you haven't yet had.  I'm trying to recognize those moments now and cherish them.  I'm not "saving" anything ; we used our good china and crystal for every special event - such as losing a pound, getting the sink unstopped, or something as small as the first rose blossom.

I wear my good  wear clothes to the market or whenever I want.  Or I might even check the  mail in my fur coat.  My theory is live life like is your last day on earth, because one day it will be.  I'm not saving my good perfume for special occasions anymore; clerks in hardware stores and tellers in banks have noses that function as well as anyone on those special occasions too.

"Someday", and "one of these day's" are losing the grip of my vocabulary.  If its worth seeing or hearing or doing, I want to see, hear and do it today.  There may not be a tomorrow.  And I don't want to spent my golden years saying I wish I had.

I'm not sure what my mother would have done had she known that she wouldn't be here for the tomorrow we all take for granted.  I think she would have called family members and a few close friends.  She might have called a few of former friends to apologize and mend few fences for the past squabbles; I like to think she would have gone out for a Chinese dinner or her favorite food.  I'm guessing, I'll never known.

Its those little things left undone that would make me angry if I knew that my hours were limited.  Angry because I haven't written certain letters I intended to write - one of these days.  Angry and sorry that I didn't tell my husband often enough how much I truly love him.

I am trying very hard not to put off, hold back, or save anything that would add laughter and luster to all the lives around me.  And every morning , when I open my eyes, I'll tell myself that I'm fortunate that I have people in my life that I do.  Life is special. Everyday, every minute, every breath truly is a gift not something to be wasted, worrying or arguing over something that isn't important. Because once you're it won't matter anyway.

You've got to dance like nobody is watching and love like it never going to hurt.........

 

 

Or you'll  never have the chance to truly experience the life you have.

People say, couple should hold hands if they're in love, but I say, couples don't need to hold hands, because they know the other hand will always be there.  All they need to do is reach out for it.

Never take one single breath for granted and remember.........

Always dance,

This is a tribute to my mom.

Mom , I hope your dancing

   I love you.......

~~Author unknown~~

special thanks to 

"sherry~ ibsnipetdxox from yahtzeeladder league"

for sharing