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I remember going to the grocery store one afternoon to pick up the usual supply of frozen blueberries, diet protein powder, green tea and potato chips, and noticing a woman who was wearing a grubby track suit with her hair in curlers. I very discreetly stared at her, with my basket of diet and junk food, and thought to myself, “Lady, who are you saving the good stuff for, if not us?”
I’ve thought about that question a lot lately. Lady, who are you saving the good stuff for?
I have in my closet several lovely outfits: sharp, tailored, stylish and flattering. They are suitable for many occasions, including business meetings and dinners out. However, as I’m mostly self-employed, I tend to do most of my writing while wearing t-shirts and jeans or acting while wearing costumes suited to whatever character I’m currently playing. So most of those fabulous outfits hang neglected in the dark, waiting for the right occasion, and some of them, for the fashion trend in which they were conceived to come around again.
While dressing the other day, I asked myself, “Lady, who are you saving the good stuff for?”
Which is how I came to wear my little black dress and dangerously high heels to run errands.
The clothes, though, are the tip of the proverbial ice burg. The best is that which resides within me, within ourselves. Our best behaviour, our best imagination, our best selves.
Trying to bring the best to everything we do, though, is an overwhelming proposition. Sometimes, it’s even more difficult to determine what the best we can do is. Perhaps it starts with using the “good dishes” for everyday family dinners. It begins with cleaning the house for company even though none is expected. It happens when we work towards a promotion, whether we are the boss or the lackey. All this, though, is still very superficial. This is the way of madness. This is the way of Martha Stewart or Bree Van De Kamp. This is not my way.
My very good friend, who has endured a long and uncomfortable pregnancy, finally gave birth to a gorgeous, perfect little girl at 4:25 this morning after a labour that should put all other labour horror stories to shame. It was my privilege and honour to be present for the entire process. I watched and supported this amazing woman as she worked to bring this baby into the world. I saw her dig deep for strength and courage, and I saw her great determination to do what was best for her child and not what was convenient for herself. I was witness to what it means to bring one’s best to the table, and let me tell you, I was humbled.
I was also lucky enough to be one of the first people to hold this precious new life in my arms and gaze at the infinite potential. The wee lassie has the whole world ahead of her, and was born in the midst of people who only want the best for her. They are determined not to save the good stuff.
May we all be so wise, and may we always bring our best to the table.
And Miss Madeline, welcome to the world.
Madame Fabulous–otherwise known as MadFab (more fab than mad)–has been a professional writer, actor, director, producer, occasional photographer and painter for most of her adult life. Her mother would argue that she’s been a drama queen from the get-go, however. She is a mother to three: Alexa, Theo and Ethan who she blames for the eternal house messiness, the ongoing pantry emptiness, the perpetual head-shaking oddness and the lifelong happiness. She was very recently married to the man who, for the record, she totally pegged as “That Guy” from the start.
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Do you know we got beautiful Wedgewood china for our wedding and great cutlery, and we are not allowed to ever use it. Yes, truly, we actually just bought new cutlery for everyday use because John has banned the use of our “Wedding” stuff except for special occasions.
We have had one special enough occasion in 7 years. I have come to the conclusion that he is saving it all for his more “special” wife.
What a great reminder in an area where reminders are needed. Thanks.
Tugged at me heart strings, it did. And my daughter is Madeline too! Kinda wrapped it all up in a pretty bow.
George
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I so agree with this.
My mom still needs to learn it though.
She might be getting a little bit better now, but I’m not sure. Here are the things that stick in my mind: Her telling my young niece to ’save’ the nice notepaper she got for her birthday for ’something special’ when said niece wanted to write a note to grandma on the paper. What? Was my niece going to take up a correspondance with the queen or something? To her there wasn’t anything MORE special than writing a note to grandma.
We’ve also threatened to bury my mom in the crappiest clothes she has since she’s ’saving’ the ‘good stuff’ and then donate the ‘good stuff’ back to the junk store so some other lady can buy it and save it ‘for good’.
I’m realizing that I should probably just get a blog of my own since my comments are probably WAY longer than ‘comments’ have a right to be.
Funny what your saying about having the nice clothes and usually wearing jeans and a T-Shirt. I used to work for other companies nad would sometimes wear a nice suit and at the very least a white dress shirt and tie. Now I also work for myself and from home so I still have a closet full of suites, dress shirts and really nice ties. I can’t tell you when is the last time I wore one of them. If I go to meet a client it is busines casual. Myabe a polo shirt and pair of slacks.
Nice to hear about your friend giving birth.
Have a great, safe new year! Looking forward to a prosperous 09.
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For years, I’ve told my kids that I don’t want them to be THE best; I want them to be THEIR best.
I fall short of my own expectations rather often. But I do want to do better this year.
Thank you for the comments, everyone. I love them. Lesley, I’m cracking up at “special wife”.
I sometimes wear my robe to the store. It is fluffy, soft and hot pink. I wanted it for years, left many hints and after three robeless Christmases finally gave it to myself. It is one of my favorite things. In it, I feel whole, and completely myself.
If you ever see me shopping in my robe, you *are* getting the best of me.