There is something to be said for convenience; however, paper plates don’t exude the feeling of a special event.   As I sell items on Craigslist, eBay and other media, I notice a trend.  One can find beautiful once expensive china, crystal and flatware for dirt cheap.

It seems the new generation doesn’t see a need to own these items.  Baby boomers want to pass down their heirlooms but the children are politely passing them up.  Is it because the traditional Sunday dinners are now substituted for soccer or baseball practice or is family spread across the USA that huge family gatherings  are far and few between.

My mother in law recently downsized her home.  She said it killed her to sell her beautiful dining room for pennies since none of her four children wanted it.  Several months later, she was invited to a party in her old neighborhood.  The young couple who purchased her home invited her in.  Her home was transformed with ultra modern décor and in her former dining room was a pool table.   She said her heart sank as the couple told her they only eat their meals in the kitchen.

When it comes right down to it family time is important no matter where it is spent. For me, coming from a large family where meals were events and on holidays the specialties were triple fold hold fond memories   I relish large family gatherings where I use my beautiful table cloth, china and lighting candles to add the finishing touch.

My hope is someday my children, nieces and nephews get together and reminisce about the wonderful time they had coming to my home and searching for their calligraphy names indicating where they were to sit.  The legacy I want to pass to those I love is to know they were so special that the time and effort put forth in having those dinners were well worth it.

I have never been one to put great emphasis on material items.  My husband is pretty lucky in that respect.  I don’t ask for jewelry or clothes.  My thing was just a card or an experience.  I value those more than anything else because you can’t take material possessions with you but memories will always be there.

Today is Mother’s Day and I probably should have picked a better day to do this but the filing cabinets were next on the chore list.  I literally have saved every card my husband and children have given me.  They are as precious to me as diamonds.  Knowing I had to pretty much get rid of all of them left me with a pit in my stomach.  I have read each card again and looked at the homemade cards from my kids and taken so many pictures to preserve the memory.

Since I knew this day was coming, I instructed my children to NOT send me a card or gift since I cannot take it with me and to call me instead or share the day with me.  Hallmark will not be happy with me.

What I realized going through the many folders of cards for birthdays, holidays and “just because” is that I am loved by family.  Knowing that, I am able to say good-bye to the cards because it’s just paper and unconditional love from my family is more than enough.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the Mom’s out there.

I believe moments are what we remember most in our life.  Just like the mom who carries a child for nine months, those months are soon forgotten once she holds the child in her arms. Among the craziness of getting the house ready to sell, this weekend had some special moments for us.

Friday night we were invited to attend an awards ceremony.  My son received the 2018 New Nurse of the Year Award.  We couldn’t have been more proud of him.  Throughout the night, people were congratulating us and telling us what a great job he does and how much they enjoy him as a person.  Heading home my husband and I were grateful to have him in our lives and to know we did our job as parents to raise someone who became a responsible adult and a contributing member of society.

Saturday night, we were invited to the home of my husband old boss who wanted to celebrate the 40^th anniversary of the company he started.  How wonderful for my husband who worked for a man who appreciated the contributions of his employees and crediting them for his success.  This man is one who has my utmost respect.

What made the evening even more special was connecting with people from years ago.  Did you ever know a person who you were close and hadn’t seen in a long time but when your paths crossed, the two of you just started like you never missed a beat and the years you were apart just melted away?  Last night, was one of those times and made the evening that much more special.

To wrap up this weekend, I am having my entire family over for dinner to celebrate my son’s achievement and my nephew’s birthday.  All the boxes and clutter surrounding us are unimportant because life is made up by these wonderful moments and they need to be cherished.

Remember the moments in your life and worry about the other stuff later.