A lovely piece and one that truly resonated with me. I burn a candle almost daily on my desk as I work, a ritual I started after my daughter died 9 years ago. But I used to hold onto them for special occasions too. But right after Ana died, I wrote an essay about burning all her candles down because I couldn't bear to let them collect dust. You've inspired me to dig that piece up and potentially republish it. It's an act of rebellion - letting things go.
This is so relatable. I can smell the unlit, and lit candle. This reminds me of Erma Bombeck’s essay “If I Had My Life to Live Over” about using the fine China (back when people had it), the best sheets and towels we saved for guests and all that. It’s so tempting to think we have to wait for the perfect time, which of course never or rarely happens, or we’re doing something else when it does. We’re not at home lighting that overpriced candle or pulling out the special teacups purchased that one year on a trip far away, (this may be my husband), or anything else we feel we don’t deserve to enjoy all to ourselves. Thank you for this post, quietly reminding us that we’re worth enjoying the porridge and/or lighting the candle whenever it feels right.
I felt very similarly about stickers: there must be an alignment of perfect conditions before ever prying one off its original sheet. But like the pandemic, life has taught me the perfect conditions will never arrive and the stickers are more thoroughly enjoyed after its spent. May our candles be lit and stickers stuck while we're here for it.
Jack! I hear you! This candle/porridge piece is so laden with emotion and for me, recognition.
I used to burn candles all the time for the sheer joy of it, now it's mainly for special occasions...I also need to stop waiting to light them. The other silly thing I do is if I buy an expensive (to me) sunscreen or moisturizer or article of clothing or what have you, I'll use it so sparingly, or not at all, because it cost so much and because I suppose I don't value myself enough, that they'll spoil before I use them up. Or the article if clothing that I haven't even cut the tag off of, has gone out of fashion...
Here's to us celebrating our today selves. Let's light those candles and wear the clothes and slather the lotions.
A lovely piece and one that truly resonated with me. I burn a candle almost daily on my desk as I work, a ritual I started after my daughter died 9 years ago. But I used to hold onto them for special occasions too. But right after Ana died, I wrote an essay about burning all her candles down because I couldn't bear to let them collect dust. You've inspired me to dig that piece up and potentially republish it. It's an act of rebellion - letting things go.
This is so relatable. I can smell the unlit, and lit candle. This reminds me of Erma Bombeck’s essay “If I Had My Life to Live Over” about using the fine China (back when people had it), the best sheets and towels we saved for guests and all that. It’s so tempting to think we have to wait for the perfect time, which of course never or rarely happens, or we’re doing something else when it does. We’re not at home lighting that overpriced candle or pulling out the special teacups purchased that one year on a trip far away, (this may be my husband), or anything else we feel we don’t deserve to enjoy all to ourselves. Thank you for this post, quietly reminding us that we’re worth enjoying the porridge and/or lighting the candle whenever it feels right.
I felt very similarly about stickers: there must be an alignment of perfect conditions before ever prying one off its original sheet. But like the pandemic, life has taught me the perfect conditions will never arrive and the stickers are more thoroughly enjoyed after its spent. May our candles be lit and stickers stuck while we're here for it.
Jack! I hear you! This candle/porridge piece is so laden with emotion and for me, recognition.
I used to burn candles all the time for the sheer joy of it, now it's mainly for special occasions...I also need to stop waiting to light them. The other silly thing I do is if I buy an expensive (to me) sunscreen or moisturizer or article of clothing or what have you, I'll use it so sparingly, or not at all, because it cost so much and because I suppose I don't value myself enough, that they'll spoil before I use them up. Or the article if clothing that I haven't even cut the tag off of, has gone out of fashion...
Here's to us celebrating our today selves. Let's light those candles and wear the clothes and slather the lotions.
Thank you for writing this.
Lovely piece. You capture so well the idea that small things come to represent big hopes and ideas. Well done.
I should burn my candle. I think it's time.
Such lyrical humor. Long live Wit!