Why Wait?

As I was growing up, we had a family tradition where we would go "treeing" during the Christmas Holiday season. We went from house to house looking at everyone's trees, talking about the lovely presents, and eating delicious food. I believe the adults had a few cocktails, and it was a chance for the children to enjoy a soda pop with their cousins. My Auntie Joyce and Uncle Eugene had the most lovely white crushed velvet furniture. I always wanted to touch the fabric, but could never do so as it was covered in clear plastic. I was so tempted to stick a pointy child finger through the plastic just to feel a small portion of the fabric, but I never did. Year after year on the way home, I'd ask my parents about the elegant furniture in the formal sitting room. My dad would respond "I'm not sure what they're saving everything for - may as well enjoy it, you can't take it with you. Why wait?".

My dad was by no means careless with his belongings or his relationships. He made the most of everyday but he also figured he may as well enjoy the things he worked for. Our house was made to be lived in. We had dark colored furniture and on Friday evenings we would sit on the couch and eat pizza and popcorn while watching a movie. My Aunt and Uncle never used the sitting room or the furniture in that room. My Uncle passed away decades ago and my Aunt has likely never sat her bum on the soft fabric of her own couch or loveseat. I wonder if they regret waiting...I'll never know...

I learned many lessons during "treeing" (including how to mix the perfect martini), but the one I want to pass along today is about waiting. Let me ask you this:

WHY WAIT?

Why wait until your manuscript is perfect to show it to someone? Why wait to use the good china? Why wait until you have more time to start writing your novel? Why wait to tell someone how you feel about them?

As I write today's article, I am sipping tea out of a ridiculously expensive tea set. I handled the fragile china cup to my almost 2 year old. She likes tea and she finished off the cup and clumsily handed it back to me. The cup could break, but that's a chance I'm willing to take. I'm not waiting until the children are grown or the occasion is right - I refuse to wait. I'm working on my novel and it's a hot mess (so am I for that matter) but I'm not waiting to talk about it and share it. Life is too short to wait. Sit on the couch, use the good china, share your writing, and get out there and do what brings you joy!

We love to hear from readers - leave a comment answering one (or all) of the following:

*What have you been waiting to do? What are you waiting for?

*What Holiday tradition was most memorable for you as a child?

*Do you have any funny family stories from the holidays or family gatherings?


Crystal is a secretary, council secretary, financial secretary, and musician at her church, birth mother, Auntie, babywearing mama, business owner, active journaler, writer and blogger, Blog Tour Manager with WOW! Women on Writing, Press Corp teammate for the DairyGirl Network, Unicorn Mom Ambassador, as well as a dairy farmer. She lives in Wisconsin with her husband and their five youngest children (Carmen 12, Andre 11, Breccan 5, Delphine 4, and baby Eudora who somehow turns 2 later this year), two dogs, four little piggies, a handful of cats and kittens, and over 230 Holsteins.

You can find Crystal riding unicorns, taking the ordinary and giving it a little extra (making it extraordinary), blogging and reviewing books here, and at her personal blog - Crystal is dedicated to turning life's lemons into lemonade!