The things I keep

As you know if you are a regular reader, I'm big on purging and organizing, I often walk around the house giving possessions the side eye. Do we need you? Do we use you? Do we love you?

The other night as I was dusting the dining room, my eyes fell to a set of dishes in the china cabinet. I'm so used to them being there I don't give them a second thought. My Grandmom bought them for me a ways back in her retirement community's shop. She told me she thought of me when she saw them. I don't need them, use them, or love them. But I've kept them without once thinking about getting rid of them.

Why? I'm certainly not trying to summon her back from the dead and being ever the practical person, she would absolutely tell me to get rid of them. They weren't even hers, so they don't hold sentimental value for me. But I don't get rid of them. Just like I don't get rid of the afghans I don't use that my Mom Mom crocheted that sit in the basement in a picnic basket.

I often tell other people to get rid of things that don't serve them but I rarely mention that I keep some things that serve no purpose and that I don't love. I have an under the bed box that holds paper memories in the spare room and we have these things around the house that remind us of people who are no longer with us. I consider the sentimental stuff we own manageable. Everything has a spot and most of it is on display. It's not overtaking our home, stealing our air, or making us hoarders. I'm good with it. I just want to put it out there that I have this stuff too. Not everything has fallen victim to purging!

Might I someday get rid of this stuff? Sure. But that day is not today. 

What do you keep?

p.s. Every day is Earth Day, friends! Some things we do at our house to be more eco-minded: http://www.lifeaccordingtosteph.com/2012/04/green-machine.html 

 Linking up with Shanna for Random Wednesday

Closed today on account of marriage

These two are getting married today. My brother Stephen and his long-time girlfriend Aubrey.

I love Aubrey. Which, as we all know, is not a given when someone marries into our framilies. I can't even make any schmaltzy now we're family statements. They've been together for 12 years, same as me and MFD. Aubrey and I have been family. I'm excited to stand up as a bridesmaid today when they make it official. She will be a stunning bride who will light up the room.

The four of us over 12 years ago in July 2002. 

The four of us a week ago today, Nov 7 2014

This little boy, six years younger than me, nemesis and intruder on my only child status in his early years, tormenter and source of gross boy smell in his adolescent years, lifeline in some hard times (his, mine, and ours), and one of the people I love the most in life...he's getting married today. Cue sentimental me. I expect to have some tears.

It is a wedding, after all.

I love wedding days. The beauty, the details, the hoopla, the show, the attire, the music, the food, the dancing, and the happy. All the happy.

I send a million good thoughts to the couple and hope a lot of hopes for them.

I hope day of hopes, like I hope they look around and really appreciate this wedding day that will fly by, that they take a few minutes to themselves to be all oh shit we're married!, that they always feel the support of the people who were here to witness them saying their vows, that they don't feel too rushed, that their pictures turn out awesome, and that they really enjoy this day.

Then I hope lifelong hopes, like I hope they know that a bad day personally or as a couple doesn't mean a bad life, that they know commitment will carry them through when the love and even the like isn't there, that they recognize their job as their partner's support and encouragement system is now the most important job in their life.

Then I take a zillion photos, have some apps, and go to the bar and get some free drinks. Today is my 11th and final appearance as a bridesmaid. This old broad is retired. I'm going out with a bang.

Cheers to love, cheers to weddings, and cheers to two people who I love very much on their wedding day.

Cheers to my dear friend Melissa on her birthday. Thanks for being real, always speaking the truth, listening when I need someone to listen, always supporting me, and being a lot of fun. 

Cheers to Friday, and cheers to you.