Special Occasions

I learned long ago that every day should be a special occasion.

A friend sent me a story that illustrated exactly that opinion. It reminded me, as stories often do, of what made me realize that there are few truly special occasions.

Grandma Laura, Hubby's grandmother, had lived a hard-working life. She raised her boys virtually on her own. She had a handful of sensible sayings, one of them being "we gotta make the best". But she didn't, that's the point. Oh, yes, she made do with whatever she had, but in doing so she also neglected small things that could have brought a little happiness to herself or to someone around her.

When Grandma passed away I was in my thirties, maybe thirty-two or -three. Going through her things, the sisters-in-law found some beautifully starched all-cotton sheets big enough for our queen bed. The lace on the edges was hand-tatted and elaborate. She had made (or received) them for her wedding bed.  Each of us girls got a set of those pretty but yellowed sheets.

Dutifully I took them home and washed them, cold water, gentle detergent, gentle cycle.

They fell apart where they had been folded for at least fifty years, all but some of the lace. What a waste!

I think about those sheets now and then. I think about Mom's 'good' china, and my 'good' wine glasses and a host of other things that we tend to keep for 'special' occasions.

I ask you this--what is more special than a dinner with your loved ones where you can spread the lace tablecloth and put out the fine china? What is not a good time to wear a gift of sparkling jewelry, even if it is to Walmart?  What is so special about the silky lace lingerie or the collectible knickknacks that you can't use them now, this very day? Or the bottle of champagne? Or perfume? Or the silver watch you've had in your top drawer because you might lose it? Or maybe it's a gift from someone who cared enough to give it, but you don't even look at it anymore.

Rule of thumb--if it brings a smile to your face, or a tear to your eye, it has made this day a special occasion.

When we deny ourselves the snippets of the life we claim to cherish, we lose the meaning of living. We have today. Tomorrow is uncertain.

Celebrate!