In my twenties I had an addiction; collecting candles. Not just any candle. I collected those large jar Yankee scented candles - the ones that cost about $30 a pop. They came in every imaginable scent. Who knew that fresh laundry could be captured in a fragrance? Apparently, the Yankee candle creators did. Little did I know at the time how toxic the candles were with their thousands of frangrances and chemicals added to make them unique.
I had literally hundreds of candles - a small fortune, enough to buy a small vehicle some would say. How did I display them? On an "official" wooden Yankee candle display rack of course! I even went to the Mall of American Yankee candle store - one of the largest in the U.S. - to see what candles they offered that I did not yet have. No, I did not go to Minnesota for this reason, but it was bonus to pop in while I was there.
I remember looking at them, admiring the decorative labels and the wide variety I had amassed. They even had candles that smelled like "Halloween." Wild. Did I light them? Very seldom. I always would say that I was "waiting for a special occasion." What that was, was undetermined. I knew it had to be reallllly special.
My other "addiction" were collecting (notice, I said collecting, not using) the soaps at Lush. The fancy, supposedly all-natural ingredient bath soaps and shampoos that were fit for a princess. Although I didn't consider myself a princess, I had these soaps carefully displayed in my bathroom, in a basket, unused, waiting for a "special occasion."
Years later I would end up giving most of my candles away. I sold a few on marketplace. Why? Because I watched an expose on how horrible these scented candles were. I had no idea. I started to appreciate the fact that I had not lit them over the years and only taken in the occasional sniff from lifting the lid. What happened to the soaps? They got ruined - turned into a big blob of soapiness from getting wet - not by me (long story). Thousands of dollars wasted on things I thought I would use some day - for a "special day" that never came.
What I realized is two fold. Every day is special. Every day is to be treasured, appreciated. And also why wait? If you have that special bubble bath, or fancy cheese or wine - or whatever, enjoy it! Now! I write this as my birthday is hours away. Another year. But it's no more "special" than the last. Or the next.
Knowing I would most likely (again) be spending my "special" day solo, I splurged on a bottle of peach bellini. I seldom indulge. I like peach and being that we are entering autumn, it will be my last taste of summer.
My partner will be making the long journey up to see me. As we seldom see eachother, and don't always know when the next time will be, we make it a point to celebrate every occasion as a "special occasion." We remind ourselves how important quality time is together, and while we don't always get to spend holidays together, we treat every day as though it's as special as any.
It's a good reminder for all of us to know that one day it will be our last birthday, last vacation, or last breath. We need to appreciate every moment as if it's our last.
- Julie
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