Do you ‘keep things for best’?
When I was little I used to get a new dress, tights, and sparkly shoes around this time of year.
The outfit was bought for various occasions: school Christmas party, going to the pantomime, the two parties that were put on by Mum and Dads work, Christmas Day and the visits to family between Christmas and New Year.
Before the events, the outfit used to hang in the wardrobe, and my Mum would hope I didn’t have a growth spurt from the time of purchase to the wearing.
If I wanted to put it on she would scream, ‘No, it’s to be kept for best!’ I wouldn’t dare try and sneak it on and make it out the house. Except once. But that’s another story. I’m lucking to be alive, that’s all I’m saying.
Fast forward 40 years.
Last Sunday, we were out walking, the beloved and I. We came to a path that was, shall we say, a tad on the muddy side.
Half way through the gore I was waiting for them to start moaning (going by previous experience here moxies, previous experience).
Right on time, up they chirp, ‘Dawn! Dawn! This path hasn’t got enough mud on it. Is there any chance we can find a muddier path?’ (Sarcastic, huh?)
And then, down they went. Of course, the dogs thought this was great and started to jump all over them, applying more mud.
When I had stopped laughing and helped them up, I noticed their footwear.
Me: ‘Where are your walking boots? Why aren’t you wearing them?’
They replied: ‘I can’t. They’re new!’
Me: ‘But they are walking boots, you know, for moments like this, out walking!’
Them: ‘I know, but they’re clean. I have to keep them for best!’
[insert 10-minute conversation about this strange logic]
Please don’t think I’m wasteful, that’s not what this is about. It’s not about trinkets and things.
Life is a celebration.
Your life is always a special occasion.
Use/wear/own the best of you.
Sure, you can keep it under wraps. Safe. Secure. Unspoilt and waiting for a day when you will walk out and return in the same condition.
You can decide that this day isn’t the one you want to use your best, or you can choose that your life is always worthy of the best of you.
Love.
Dawn xxx
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