carpe diem

Belac 6/2012

Went to a corner cabinet to grab a coffee mug, this morning. Stretched to grab the one from Paris, the one souvenir from that time we lived there, those blissful ignorant days right before we knew anything was amiss with Belac. But then, not only did the mug slip out of my hand, it crashed down onto a very heavy glass platter below, one of the very few wedding presents I kept and the only one I've made use of everyday. This platter with the gorgeous swirls of cobalt was now shattered. My tastes have changed drastically over the past decade, but I always loved this piece. Everyday it held fruit for the taking and it was quite the something to look at when finally empty. Oh nooooooo...! I wailed. Jake came up from behind and put his arm around my shoulder as we silently looked at the mess. Two of my favorite things gone with one little misstep and life goes on.

A few weeks ago, I ran a nursery school graduation at the Greek Orthodox church I work at. It is a beautiful little school and I have now choreographed 5 graduations filled with music and singing. Despite that, the "Father," an amazing fellow and dad of 4 kids, I might add, never fails to deliver a message that makes me misty eyed. This year, he addressed the nursery graduates each by name, saying... Aris, Maria, Paniotis, Dmitry.... we love you.  Just like that, so simple and straight forward. And then went on to explain that they were never too little or too noisy or too this or too that to approach Jesus. I am not a believer, but what he was saying touched me. We are all worthy.

How often do we just go ahead and like and love the things and people we like and love without complication? If I saved that platter for once a year, I wouldn't be quite so sad to now see my fruit on a stock white plate that was Made in China. It's okay, it's a thing and I'm glad I enjoyed it for that good stretch. My point is, carpe diem.