So, listen to this Aunt Ruth’s china set is done for. Completely smashed.
It was her wedding china, a set of twelve.
Thats it, goodbye to those golden rims and all those little Made in England markings on the bottom. It happened because Uncle Colindont even askhe tumbled off the loft with the box in his hands.
Oh dear, Aunt Ruth said, at first, almost curious,
But it was fine china!
As if being fancy means its unbreakable. Then the whole disaster really sunk in for her. She sank into her armchair, moaning,
Colin, fetch the Rescue Remedy! Then she called everyone she knew, even me long-distance, and properly mourned her youth, which had apparently shattered into a thousand tiny porcelain bits.
That was a gift from our parents, twenty years ago! We never touched it, waiting for something special, maybe a porcelainheaven help usanniversary. And now look! Dads gone, Colins twisted his ankle, my blood pressures shot And would you believe, not once did we use those plates! Not even once.
Absolute fools.
It made me stop and think.
Why do we do this, you know? Why do we stash away our best china, our nicest jewellery, and all those good feelings for a special day? Why do we save scented candles for that perfect evening, hide away diamond earrings in boxes, smack a childs hand when he tries to pinch a bit of sausage too soon, and save our kindest words for Valentines Day only?
What makes that future day so much better than right now?
And are we sure therell always be time?
Practically every phone call from those trapped in the Twin Towers in New York was someone declaring love. People were ringing their families, leaving messages
I. Love. You.
Turns out, in the end, thats the most important thing anyone wants to say.
You know, reality is just whats happening nowits that thin moment between the past and whatevers next.
So lets stop putting joy away for later or hiding happiness up in the attic, waiting for some vague someday that may never show up.
Tomorrow isnt guaranteed. Theres just today, and its every bit as special as New Years Eve or Mothers Day or whatever big day you like.
So lets hurry up. Make up after an argument. Go see the sea. Play with your son, hug your daughter, buy mum another bottle of Chanel No. 5so shell wear it every day, not just for best.
Weve got to make time. Read that book. Try the sea urchin soup or baked locust just once. Watch your favourite film and forget about the dirty dishes piling up.
Im going to buy Aunt Ruth a new china set and throw her a tremendous dinner party.
And most of all, dont wait until its too late to say I love yousay it before the credits roll.
