Today was a shopping day in the April snow. As the fat wet snowflakes flew across the parking lot, my friend, Deidre and I climbed the stairs into a swanky decorator store. Deidre's beloved had sent us on a mission to pick out a new table for her writing room in his house. We started in the sale section, because that is where she always starts and usually finishes. I usually start there but rarely end up where I started. We looked at the damaged discounted tables. We completely snubbed the sales person who was trying to show us some intact lovely pieces. "Far too expensive", declared Deidre. It didn't matter that her beloved would have gladly paid for whatever she picked out. But she had a budget and was sticking to it.
I, on the other hand, am distracted by shiny things and care not a fig about how much they cost. The fact that I am going to France for month was not a factor as I caressed a large beautiful down throw cushion embroidered with peacock feathers. It was only $229. "Put that down," said Deidre, "you are going to France." "Bah, humbug" I replied and continued to fondle the cushion. Finally, she pulled me away and off we went table hunting. I must admit, I did keep looking longingly over my shoulder in the direction of that incredible but utterly useless pillow.
Finally, we discovered tucked away in the corner behind a wing chair and a dresser, a lovely shelf unit with three drawers. It was perfect. Exactly what she was looking for. It was a bit more than she had thought about paying but within her comfort zone. She went to the till to get it ordered and I cruised around the counter with the smelly stuff. I finally decided on a $8 scented candle.
Tables and candles purchased we headed out into the snowflakes and onto to lunch. Of course, we can not let a simple outing be a simple outing. Oh no, we analyse and draw meaning from the most ordinary things in life. Today we reached a new level. We realized that everything in life has a cost, mostly emotional cost. Deidre always assumes the cost will be more than she can afford. I blithely assume that whatever it is will cost me less than it will. Both of those perceptions have landed us over the years in more trouble than we care to remember. We are both wrong. Deidre has missed out on opportunities and I have been left in a crumpled heap spent from the exhaustion and pain. As we sipped our Miami Ice drinks over brunch, we concluded there needs to be a happy medium. There needs to be a point where we enter into relationships or situations with a realistic understanding of the cost. It will cost us something. The question is how much will it cost and are we willing to pay the price?
I, on the other hand, am distracted by shiny things and care not a fig about how much they cost. The fact that I am going to France for month was not a factor as I caressed a large beautiful down throw cushion embroidered with peacock feathers. It was only $229. "Put that down," said Deidre, "you are going to France." "Bah, humbug" I replied and continued to fondle the cushion. Finally, she pulled me away and off we went table hunting. I must admit, I did keep looking longingly over my shoulder in the direction of that incredible but utterly useless pillow.
Finally, we discovered tucked away in the corner behind a wing chair and a dresser, a lovely shelf unit with three drawers. It was perfect. Exactly what she was looking for. It was a bit more than she had thought about paying but within her comfort zone. She went to the till to get it ordered and I cruised around the counter with the smelly stuff. I finally decided on a $8 scented candle.
Tables and candles purchased we headed out into the snowflakes and onto to lunch. Of course, we can not let a simple outing be a simple outing. Oh no, we analyse and draw meaning from the most ordinary things in life. Today we reached a new level. We realized that everything in life has a cost, mostly emotional cost. Deidre always assumes the cost will be more than she can afford. I blithely assume that whatever it is will cost me less than it will. Both of those perceptions have landed us over the years in more trouble than we care to remember. We are both wrong. Deidre has missed out on opportunities and I have been left in a crumpled heap spent from the exhaustion and pain. As we sipped our Miami Ice drinks over brunch, we concluded there needs to be a happy medium. There needs to be a point where we enter into relationships or situations with a realistic understanding of the cost. It will cost us something. The question is how much will it cost and are we willing to pay the price?
No comments:
Post a Comment