Maggie wrote us after seeing this letter here:


I'm so sorry to say this...but this letter is a hoax. See the following link from the Sunday January 21 2001, Gaurdian: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2001/jan/21/books.booksnews.


The Guardian does include the following: "The tricks that memory plays, the writer argues, actually shape our lives. 'What matters in life is not what happens to you but what you remember and how you remember it,' García Márquez writes at the opening of his personal account."


Alas... if only I could write 1/5 as beautifully as Márquez
.


Maggie's right. I am sorry to fall into this trap and to mislead you. However, I decided to leave these lines. No matter who wrote them, they are beautiful.


So here's the untouched text:

Gabriel Garcia Marquez, famous writer from Colombia, and Nobel Peace Prize winner for literature, has retired from public life for reasons of health. He has a form of cancer, which is terminal. He has sent a farewell letter to his friends.


It is recommended reading because it is moving to see how one of the best and most brilliant of writers expresses himself & with sorrow. (Even as I'm SURE this would have sounded TWICE as good in Spanish, let us enjoy the English version nonetheless....)


He says:
If God, for a second, forgot what I have become and granted me a little bit more of life, I would use it to the best of my ability.


I wouldn't, possibly, say everything that is in my mind, but I would be more thoughtful of all I say. I would give merit to things not for what they are worth, but for what they mean to express.


I would sleep little, I would dream more, because I know that for every minute that we close our eyes, we waste 60 seconds of light.


I would walk while others stop; I would awake while others sleep.


If God would give me a little bit more of life, I would dress in a simple manner, I would place myself in front of the sun, leaving not only my body, but my soul naked at its mercy.


To all men, I would say how mistaken they are when they think that they stop falling in love when they grow old, without knowing that they grow old when they stop falling in love.


I would give wings to children, but I would leave it to them to learn how to fly by themselves.


To old people I would say that death doesn't arrive when they grow old, but with forgetfulness.


I have learned so much with you all, I have learned that everybody wants to live on top of the mountain, without knowing that true happiness is obtained in the journey taken & the form used to reach the top of the hill.


I have learned that when a newborn baby holds, with its little hand, his father's finger, it has trapped him for the rest of his life.


I have learned that a man has the right and obligation to look down at another man, only when that man needs help to get up from the ground.


Say always what you feel, not what you think. If I knew that today is the last time that that I am going to see you asleep, I would hug you with all my strength and I would pray to the Lord to let me be the guardian angel of your soul.


If I knew that these are the last moments to see you, I would say 'I love you'.


There is always tomorrow, and life gives us another opportunity to do things right, but in case I am wrong, and today is all that is left to me, I would love to tell you how much I love you & that I will never forget you.


Tomorrow is never guaranteed to anyone, young or old.


Today could be the last time to see your loved ones, which is why you mustn't wait; do it today, in case tomorrow never arrives. I am sure you will be sorry you wasted the opportunity today to give a smile, a hug, a kiss, and that you were too busy to grant them their last wish.


Keep your loved ones near you; tell them in their ears and to their faces how much you need them and love them. Love them and treat them well; take your time to tell them 'I am sorry';' forgive me',' please' 'thank you', and all those loving words you know.


Nobody will know you for your secret thought. Ask the Lord for wisdom and strength to express them.


Show your friends and loved ones how important they are to you.


Send this letter to those you love. If you don't do it today...tomorrow will be like yesterday, and if you never do it, it doesn't matter either, the moment to do it is now.


For you,
With much love,
Your Friend,


Gabriel Garcia Marquez

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anche se non conosco bene l'inglese sono sinceramente commossa per le parole di questo grande scrittore che con i suoi libri ha riempito il tempo della mia adolescenza, grazie con tutto il mio cuore, margherita
I can feel his words into my vains here and his love and wisdom for he being a writer I give him light speed and and energy,

love caring he will exist among us cause he has a job to do in another sphere " God love him with his other journey.


peace, fulfillment, harmony, and light.
These are beautiful words. I love the stories GGM wrote, they are amazing in their vividness and the quality of storytelling just draws one in. Carpe Diem!
Thanks, David
I can feel his blessed Breath as I read these words
May your thoughts continue to guide us.
I feel wonderful today,sitting in front of the computer,illuminating my face with the light of the screen,because i feel that we are trying to close the famous antique circle of the life.We used to seat like now, in this moment ,in front of the bonfire with the light of the flame to receive the wisdom word...aren't we ?

Instants by Jorge Luis Borges
If I could live again my life,
In the next - I'll try,
- to make more mistakes,
I won't try to be so perfect,
I'll be more relaxed,
I'll be more full - than I am now,
In fact, I'll take fewer things seriously,
I'll be less hygenic,
I'll take more risks,
I'll take more trips,
I'll watch more sunsets,
I'll climb more mountains,
I'll swim more rivers,
I'll go to more places - I've never been,
I'll eat more ice creams and less (lime) beans,
I'll have more real problems - and less imaginary
ones,
I was one of those people who live
prudent and prolific lives -
each minute of his life,
Offcourse that I had moments of joy - but,
if I could go back I'll try to have only good moments,

If you don't know - thats what life is made of,
Don't lose the now!

I was one of those who never goes anywhere
without a thermometer,
without a hot-water bottle,
and without an umberella and without a parachute,

If I could live again - I will travel light,
If I could live again - I'll try to work bare feet
at the beginning of spring till
the end of autumn,
I'll ride more carts,
I'll watch more sunrises and play with more children,
If I have the life to live - but now I am 85,
- and I know that I am dying ...
What an wonderfull lines and thought. It matches the Gandhian thoughts.
We have been just like this not long ago ( about 20 years ), but things are changing fast and we are entering into the vitual world of so called wealthy and happy society which gets pleasure in amassing the wealth by hurting poor.

namaste from India,

ravi

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