Happy Friday!

I read an interview by Doretta Sperduto with interior designer James Servin. James is quoted sharing a story about his ice cream shop, What's The Scoop, which he opened at age 19, with his brother and four cousins. James says, 

"The business ended up going bankrupt. My parents let me fail, which is brilliant. When you fail at 19, it definitely shapes you. You become a very shrewd thinker. You think everything through."

My children aren't opening an ice cream shop, but reading this sure got me thinking...there is wisdom in allowing our children to fail. There is wisdom in not stepping in EVERY time. Hmmm...something to ponder.

He concludes the interview with this:

"This is what I tell my clients; a hearse can't pull a U-Haul. You cant' take anything with you, so you might as well enjoy." 

After I read that I got to thinking. I've always loved that poem Erma Bombeck wrote about what she'd do over in life. I'm a fan of burning the rose sculpted candle before it melts in storage. I think this philosophy bothers some...I've been called irreverent and told I lack true appreciation or don't understand the value of certain objects. I'm okay with that.

My kids drink out of the sterling silver baby cups their grandparents drank from, even the mint julep cup I drank from that my grandparents gave me. As babies, they ate their baby food off a sterling silver spoon that was a gift given by the grands. (And now it's tradition that we eat ice cream from those silver baby spoons!) We use our fine china - all wedding gifts or inherited. I don't baby proof the house. Or the coffee table. And my children eat off of china, even at Little Bit's age. In three children, I think we've had one bowl break (not counting the time they gave the dogs water). 

As I approach 30, it is beginning to dawn on me that I am not going to live on this earth forever! And I am realizing how many beautiful gifts we have been given - that stay tucked away, seldom enjoyed. So I did something crazy. I put away most of the every day glasses we have, and I put our nice pewter goblets, given to us as wedding presents, in the kitchen cabinet. Now we drink from pewter goblets most nights. The Engineer, Sister, and Little Man, and any guests we have, think this rocks. I'm frequently told, "I feel like I'm in Narnia."

We've been eating in the dining room. We've been using those finer things, which have all been generously given to us. And guess what, aside from a forking, nothing has gotten broken and lots of sweet memories have been made.

Because you can't take the stuff with you. These days are precious and they are flying by, each one faster than the one before.

Love your babies and your man! And enjoy those sweet gifts given to you with love!

Happy Weekend!