I read an article today that was in Real Simple magazine. It was called Do you hoard your new underwear? I’d read similar articles before. However, this one made me really think. Basically the whole premise of the article is- What are you holding onto your good stuff for? Wear the nice panties everyday. I mean, you’re not dating anymore, are you? It made me think of my MIL who was holding onto that “special” salad dressing waiting for the President or the Pope to come for dinner. My mom died last October. She had a set of crystal and china that she used twice a year, that was supposed to go to me, then onto Amanda. Hopefully, it’s still OK. My brothers have left it in her house with a renter for almost a year now. (I don’t want to get into that again right now.)
Anyway, assuming that I wind up with the china and crystal, I’ve decided to use it every Sunday. What would I wait for? Just to use it twice a year? Life is so short and so uncertain. Just why are we holding so tightly to things we rarely even see, much less use? Will a dish wind up broken by using the china more often? Maybe…probably..yes, it will. But I’m going to do it anyway. (I do intend to pack half of it away for safe keeping for Amanda.) I think mom would be happy to know that we are enjoying it and thinking of her every time we see it. It’s time to start living. Live on the edge. Take the plastic off your couch.
My mother bought her “good” china when I was 14. While she was living with us she thought it was time for The Normanator and me to have it. It took me about 20 minutes to drive to get it, pack it up, wash it and arrange it in the china cabinet. As I worked, Mom sat across the table from the cupboard and watched the process.
When I was finished I sat down over coffee to admire the display. With a twinge of regret in her voice, Mom said, “If I had known how much pleasure those dishes would give you, I would have made sure you had them years ago.”
They get put on the table for every conceivable occasion or no occasion at all.
Thanks again, Michele, for cranking out yet ANOTHER post which plucks at my heartstrings.
Hugs,
Mother Connie
See Mother Connie, you’ve been lighting the way for the rest of us without even knowing it. You are wise indeed grasshopper.