So, listen to this. My Aunt Rachels china set got completely smashedjust like that. It was her wedding china, too, for twelve people. Picture those gorgeous plates with golden edges, each stamped Made in England underneathgone. Uncle Colin fell off the loft with the box in his arms.
Ay! Aunt Rachel was honestly a bit curious at first. But its porcelain! As if that makes it invincible or something. Then she realised just how bad it was and just flopped back in her armchair, moaning for her heart pills and ringing everyone up, even me, and I live all the way in Manchester! She was half in mourning, honestly, like her whole youth had just shattered into a million little bits.
She kept saying, Colin, get my tablets! and sighing, We got that china set from Mum and Dad, twenty years ago. We never touched itwe were saving it for, I dont know, a porcelain anniversary or something silly like that. And now lookDads gone, Colins twisted his ankle, my blood pressures through the roof. And would you believe it? Not once did we actually use those plates. What fools we are
And it got me thinkingyou know how we do that? Keep all these nice thingsfancy crockery, jewellery, even all our best emotionsfor a special occasion? Why do we stash away scented candles for date nights, hide diamond earrings in the back of the drawer, smack kids hands for pinching a sausage before Sunday lunch, and save up our soppy words until Valentines Day?
Why is this random Thursday any less special than Christmas or Mothers Day? Are we really sure weve got all this extra time stashed away somewhere? The truth is, when the World Trade Center towers were falling, all those desperate calls people madealmost every one of them was to tell someone they loved them. I love yousuddenly, that was the one thing people had to say before it was too late.
If you look it up, reality just means whatever is real right now, that slippery little moment between the past and whatever might happen next. So why on earth do we keep putting off all the things that would bring us joy? Why do we squirrel them away in the attic or save them up for someday?
There isnt a tomorrow, not reallynot the one were banking on, anyway. Theres only today, and its just as important as New Years Eve or Mothers Day or whatever. We have to savour itmake up after a fight, run to the sea and paddle our toes, wrestle with your lad, hug your little girl, buy your mum another bottle of Chanel No. 5 because she deserves to wear it every single daynot only on birthdays.
We have to make the most of it nowread that book, try the weird food, binge-watch a favourite film and leave the dirty dishes in the sink for once. Replace Aunt Rachels china, then throw the most spectacular dinner party, no reason needed at all.
Most of all, dont wait to tell someone you love themsay it before the end credits roll.
