My brother-in-law opened the bottom drawer of my sister's bureau and lifted out a tissue-wrapped package. "This," he said, "is not a slip. This is lingerie." He discarded the tissue and handed me the slip. It was exquisite; silk, handmade and trimmed with a cobweb of lace. The price tag with an astronomical figure on it was still attached. "Jan bought this the first time we went to New York, at least 8 or 9 years ago. She never wore it. She was saving it for a special occasion. Well, I guess this is the occasion." He took the slip from me and put it on the bed with the other clothes we were taking to the mortician. His hands lingered on the soft material for a moment, then he slammed the drawer shut and turned to me. "Don't ever save anything for a special occasion. Every day you're alive is a special occasion."
I remembered those words through the funeral and the days that followed when I helped him and my niece attend to all the sad chores that follow an unexpected death. I thought
I'm still thinking
I'm not "saving" anything. we use our good china and crystal for every special event-such as losing a pound, getting the sink unstopped, the first camellia blossom. I wear my good blazer to the market if I feel like it. My theory is if I look prosperous, I can shell out $28.49 for one small bag of groceries without wincing. I'm not saving my good perfume for special parties; clerks in hardware stores and tellers in banks have noses that function as well as my party-going friends'.
"Someday" and "one of these days" are losing their grip on my vocabulary. If it's worth seeing , hearing or doing, I want to see and hear and do it now. I'm not sure what my sister 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 former friends to apologize and mend fences for past squabbles. I like to think she would have gone out for a Chinese dinner, her favorite food. I'm guessing--I'll never know.
It's those little things left undone that would make me angry ,if I knew that my hours were limited. Angry because I put off seeing good friends whom I was going to get in touch with "someday." 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 daughter 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, I tell myself that it is special. Every day, every minute, every breath truly is ... a gift from God.
相关单词：exquisite
exquisite解释：adj.精美的；敏锐的；剧烈的，感觉强烈的
exquisite例句：
I was admiring the exquisite workmanship in the mosaic.我当时正在欣赏镶嵌画的精致做工。
I still remember the exquisite pleasure I experienced in Bali.我依然记得在巴厘岛所经历的那种剧烈的快感。
相关单词：astronomical
astronomical解释：adj.天文学的，（数字）极大的
astronomical例句：
He was an expert on ancient Chinese astronomical literature.他是研究中国古代天文学文献的专家。
Houses in the village are selling for astronomical prices.乡村的房价正在飙升。
相关单词：savor
savor解释：vt.品尝，欣赏；n.味道，风味；情趣，趣味
savor例句：
The soup has a savor of onion.这汤有洋葱味。
His humorous remarks added a savor to our conversation.他幽默的话语给谈话增添了风趣。
相关单词：wincing
wincing解释：赶紧避开，畏缩( wince的现在分词 )
wincing例句：
She switched on the light, wincing at the sudden brightness. 她打开了灯，突如其来的强烈光线刺得她不敢睜眼。
"I will take anything," he said, relieved, and wincing under reproof. “我什么事都愿意做，"他说，松了一口气，缩着头等着挨骂。 来自英汉文学 - 嘉莉妹妹
相关单词：tellers
tellers解释：n.（银行）出纳员( teller的名词复数 )；（投票时的）计票员；讲故事等的人；讲述者
tellers例句：
The tellers were calculating the votes. 计票员正在统计票数。 来自《简明英汉词典》
The use of automatic tellers is particularly used in large cities. 在大城市里，还特别投入了自动出纳机。 来自辞典例句
相关单词：undone
undone解释：a.未做完的，未完成的
undone例句：
He left nothing undone that needed attention.所有需要注意的事他都注意到了。
相关单词：luster
luster解释：n.光辉；光泽，光亮；荣誉
luster例句：
His great books have added luster to the university where he teaches.他的巨著给他任教的大学增了光。
Mercerization enhances dyeability and luster of cotton materials.丝光处理扩大棉纤维的染色能力，增加纤维的光泽。
