It was a way of life, and sometimes it made me crazy. All that re-fixing, reheating, renewing. I wanted just once to be wasteful. Waste means affluence. Throwing away things meant you knew there'd always be more.
But then my husband died, and on that clear, cold morning, in the warmth of our bedroom, I was struck with the pain of learning that sometimes there isn't any more. No more hugs, no more special moments to celebrate together, no more phone calls just to chat, no more "just one minute". Sometimes, what we care about the most gets all used up and goes away never to return before we can say good-bye or "I love you".
So, while we have it, it's best we love it...and care for it...and fix it when it's broken...and heal it when it's sick. This is true...for marriage...and old cars...and children with bad report cards...and dogs with bad hips, and aging parents and grandparents. We keep them because they are worth it; because we are worth it.
Some things we keep - like a best friend that moved away or a classmate we grew up with. There are just some things that make us happy, no matter what. Life is important, like people we know who are special...and so, we keep them close!
I received this from someone who thought I was a 'keeper'! Then I sent it to the people I think of in the same way. Now it's your turn to send this to all those people that are "keepers" in your life...

Thank you for being special. You're a Keeper.