A Memory to Last a Lifetime

Not really sure why I started thinking this way but I recently decided that I am going to use the special things that I get as gifts from people. One might think that it's no revelation to think that way but to me it really is a new thing. Let me explain...

So for whatever reason I loved to keep all the things that people got me. I would receive olive oil from  from my sister and brother-in-laws honeymoon in Italy, trinkets from Scotland when my sister & brother-in-law went there for a wedding, soap from my best friend's honeymoon in Paris, soaps from my 10 year anniversary trip to Jamaica, countless wines from everywhere, a crazy collection of hotel toiletries from all over the world, spices from Grenada, bracelets, earrings, sauces, pictures, trays, crystal and clothes. The list goes on and on. I would display some things so I could "look" at them for many years. I would put other things away for "safe keeping". I would say to myself, "Don't use that because then it will be all gone too fast." I would have excuse after excuse as to why I wouldn't use any of it. And so there is all sat, beautifully displayed on bathroom counters, wine cases, decorative shelfs, in a scrap book, in the pantry or my jewelry box. For years this went on until a couple months ago when it dawned on me that all those "special" things probably weren't that special if I never enjoyed them.

I thought to myself that all those people that took the time to pick these items out, carefully stuff them into suitcases so they could make it safely home, excitedly take time out of there day to present them to me with anticipation of me using them so I could share in the experience that they had...all so I could look at it or put it away.

No more, I say! I realized that people give gifts to be used and enjoyed. To provide feedback to them on how awesome that wine tasted and how and where I enjoyed it. How I used the trinkets and how I thought of them when I used the crystal or the trays. The compliments I received when I wore the bracelet, earrings or necklace. How the smell of the soap from our 10 year anniversary trip to Jamaica brought back the memories I had of a wonderful time. The emotion of a great product when I boast about it to everyone that if they are ever in Europe or the tropics, that they absolutely MUST check it out and grab some for themselves.

What was I saving these items for, only to be no good when I find them 10 years later. I found I was sad when I had to throw something away because it had gone way past an expiration date or didn't work anymore. When a friend asked how I liked something, I would say, "Oh, I didn't use that yet, I'm saving it, " only to see the disappointment in there faces.

I have now started using the soaps. I create a beautiful meal around a spectacular bottle of wine and drink it at it's peak. I wear the jewelry and tell of the special memories of where it came from and who gave it to me. I place my pot-luck on the trays and drink out of my crystal. I ask my guests if they can taste the particular spice I got from an island in the tropics. We don't know what tomorrow may bring so use the stuff, enjoy it, savor it, make a point to create a memory because memories last forever, things do not.