these things she holds dear to her heart

i received the note below in an email from a friend today, passed it along to others as we all do, usually to be forgotten by the next day when the next batch of emails rolls in , if not before.

but i thought about this one alot today.

most of the things on this list are captured in the locket pictured above.

how many of these emails do we receive in a day, week, month.

how many of them do we really take to heart?

after all, the friend who forwarded this email on to me is one of the people that make me laugh till i have cramps in my cheeks and tears rolling down my face and will this email change the fact that we speak no more than just a couple of times a year?

only time will tell.

i learned about 5 years ago just how quickly it can all come to an end not just once but twice, and i am so grateful i was given another chance, and another one.

We all need to read this one over and over until it becomes part of who we are

HOW TO STAY YOUNG

1. Try everything twice.

On one woman's tombstone she said she wanted this epitaph:

"Tried everything twice.loved it both times!"

2. Keep only cheerful friends.

The grouches pull you down.

(Keep this in mind if you are one of those grouches!)

3. Keep learning:

Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever..

Never let the brain get idle. 'An idle mind is the devil's

workshop

And the devil's name is Alzheimer's!

4. Enjoy the simple things.

5. Laugh often, long and loud.

Laugh until you gasp for breath.

And if you have a friend who makes you laugh, spend lots and lots of time with HIM/HER

6. The tears happen:

Endure, grieve, and move on.

The only person who is with us our entire life, is ourselves.

LIVE while you are alive.

7. Surround yourself with what you love:

Whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever.

Your home is your refuge.

8. Cherish your health:

If it is good, preserve it.

If it is unstable, improve it.

If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.

9. Don't take guilt trips.

Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county, to a foreign country, but NOT to where the guilt is.

10. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every

opportunity. I love you, my special friend.

11. Forgive now those who made you cry. You might not get a second chance.

Remember! Lost time can never be found. Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.