Friday, 15 August 2008
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Every Day Is a Special Occasion, So Celebrate!
by Mama Fox
We all have things that we use on "special occasions." Good china, fancy perfume, that awesome dress. Things that you don't think fit into just an ordinary day.
I really enjoy make-up and fixing my hair up. But being a SAHM and currently home bound, I kept telling myself that it would be a waste to get all dressed up. A couple of days ago, I decided that big girls can play dress up, too! I put make-up on because it makes me feel good. I have spent a lot of money on my make-up and it's been sitting in the drawer just waiting for me. Make-up doesn't last forever. It would be more of a waste not to use and toss it when it goes bad. I will not ever think that putting make up on, just for hanging around the house, is a waste. I am putting together a photo journal called "365." That's right... 365 days of getting dolled up. Yesterday I was playing Earth Mama with earth tone eyeshadow and a bit of punk with 1940s "housewife" hair, complete with tan bandanna.My brother-in-law opened the bottom drawer of my sister's bureau and lifted out a tissue-wrapped package. "This," he said, "is not a slip. This is lingerie." He discarded the tissue and handed me the slip. It was exquisite -- silk, handmade, and trimmed with a cobweb of lace. The price tag with an astronomical figure on it was still attached. "Jan bought this the first time we went to New York, at least 8 or 9 years ago. She never wore it. She was saving it for a special occasion. Well, I guess this is the occasion." He took the slip from me and put it on the bed with the other clothes we were taking to the mortician. His hands lingered on the soft material for a moment, then he slammed the drawer shut and turned to me. "Don't ever save anything for a special occasion. Every day you're alive is a special occasion." (The rest is here.)
Why have a set of dishes you only use on holidays? Why waste make-up and perfumes by waiting for the right moment and then discover they have gone rancid? I had read a story once about a woman's mother who had died, and they found a brand new night gown hanging in the back of the closet, next to the old ratty gown she wore every night. A whole (rancid) bottle of perfume was sitting on her vanity. Her mother had felt that they were for special occasions and in the end, she never did use them. I don't want that to happen to me.
Every day is something special. Pull out the good stuff and celebrate it!
How do you celebrate your days? Is there anything you haven't used or worn in years that you'd want to use/wear again?
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Comments (6)
Holy smokes, that quote from the story really caught me. But it's true, each day is a special gift and so we should use our precious things.
Of course I've sort of outgrown my own lingerie pretties... *snickers* Guess it's time to find something special that fits.
I don't have anything that's saved for a special day. Sometimes I get dressed up just to go to the mall with my family because it's fun! I always have to remind people to not buy stuff for me or the baby that is for a certain thing only because that's not any fun for one, to have something that you can't do anything with except for certain days, and besides, I don't have all the storage space to keep things that aren't being used to their fullest. Slightly related, items that have special care labels, especially baby clothes that do! Both my mil and mom bought my daughter some items that were "hand wash" only. I put them in the washing machine (on gentle) and tumble dried them because who has time to hand wash stuff like that? I don't even hand wash my own stuff!
That story seriously is like a wake-up call. You know, I think you're right. Maybe I shouldn't "save" so many things for special occasions. I had a mini experience (well maybe not so mini) post-partum, because I could no longer fit into some of my nicer clothes and shoes. I gave an expensive suit and some barely worn shoes to a friend, and donated the rest.
I am going to try to use my favorite things more often, and stop dressing and looking like someone who never leaves the house. Thanks for the reminder to live each day to the fullest!
Thanks for sharing this story, it was so inspiring and I loved the article you included. I definitely do the whole "save ______ for a special occasion" thing that I should really do away with and now I'm going to start doing away with it! It's a good, positive message that I'm glad I had the opportunity to read!
how true! i have to admit i'm one of those people who tend to save certain things for special occasions but maybe it's time for change! thanks... very inspiring (esp. with the excerpt!). :)
Awesome post! I needed to be reminded about this! Thanks!