Today, I was reviewing an old computer file and came across this little piece of wisdom written by an 83-year-old woman and sent to her friend Bertha. I think it is beautiful, and her thoughts and philosophies represent my own. Currently, I am using an automated editor on all my writing, and it is installed on my computer and works on everything I write. I am learning that I don’t know when to use a comma. I thought it would be interesting to see just how the AI program would alter her words of wisdom.
First, I posted it as the old lady wrote it. Second, I reposted the same piece after letting the artificially intelligent soulless robot do its number on it. Can you tell the difference?
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FIRST
This was written by an 83-year-old woman to her friend.
*The last line says it all. *
Dear Bertha,
I’m reading more and dusting less. I’m sitting in the yard and admiring the view without fussing about the weeds in the garden. I’m spending more time with my family and friends and less time working.
Whenever possible, life should be a pattern of experiences to savor, not to endure. I’m trying to recognize these moments now and cherish them.
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, or the first Amaryllis blossom.
I wear my good blazer to the market. My theory is if I look prosperous, I can shell out $28.49 for one small bag of groceries. I’m not saving my good perfume for special parties, but wearing it for clerks in the hardware store and tellers at the bank.
“Someday” and “one of these days” are losing their grip on my vocabulary. If it’s worth seeing or hearing or doing, I want to see and hear and do it now
I’m not sure what others would’ve done had they known they wouldn’t be here for the tomorrow that we all take for granted. I think they would have called family members and a few close friends. They might have called a few former friends to apologize and mend fences for past squabbles. I like to think they would have gone out for a Chinese dinner or for whatever their favorite food was.
I’m guessing; I’ll never know.
It’s those little things left undone that would make me angry if I knew my hours were limited. 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 parents 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, tell myself that it is special.
Every day, every minute, every breath truly is a gift from God.
If you received this, it is because someone cares for you. If you’re too busy to take the few minutes that it takes right now to forward this, would it be the first time you didn’t do the little thing that would make a difference in your relationships? I can tell you it certainly won’t be the last.
Take a few minutes to send this to a few people you care about, just to let them know that you’re thinking of them.
“People say true friends must always hold hands, but true friends don’t need to hold hands because they know the other hand will always be there.”
Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance
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SECOND
An 83-year-old woman wrote this to her friend.
*The last line says it all. *
Dear Bertha,
I’m reading more and dusting less. I’m sitting in the yard and admiring the view without fussing about the weeds in the garden. I spend more time with my family and friends and less time working.
Whenever possible, life should be a pattern of experiences to savor, not to endure. I’m trying to recognize these moments now and cherish them.
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, or the first Amaryllis blossom.
I wear my good blazer to the market. My theory is if I look prosperous, I can shell out $28.49 for one small bag of groceries. I’m not saving my good perfume for special parties, but wearing it for clerks in the hardware store and tellers at the bank.
“Someday” and “one of these days” are losing their grip on my vocabulary. If it’s worth seeing or hearing or doing, I want to see and hear and do it now
I’m not sure what others would’ve done had they known they wouldn’t be here for the tomorrow that we all take for granted. They would have called family members and a few close friends. They might have called a few former friends to apologize and mend fences for past squabbles. I think they would have gone out for a Chinese dinner or whatever their favorite food was.
I’m guessing; I’ll never know.
Those little things left undone would make me angry if I knew my hours were limited. I was 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 parents 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, tell myself that it is special.
Every day, every minute, every breath truly is a gift from God.
If you received this, it is because someone cares for you. If you’re too busy to take the few minutes that it takes right now to forward this, would it be the first time you didn’t do the little thing that would make a difference in your relationships? I can tell you it certainly won’t be the last.
Take a few minutes to send this to a few people you care about to let them know that you’re thinking of them.
“People say true friends must always hold hands, but true friends don’t need to hold hands because they know the other hand will always be there.”
Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here, we might as well dance
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Truthfully, with the exception of a few more comma’s the piece reads identically the same. I was impressed that only the top line of the introduction was modified, and I don’t believe the little old lady wrote it.
Filed under: family, Memories | Tagged: recollections, regrets | Leave a comment »
