Sunday

The Most Expensive Luxury

"Their memories will be encrusted over with sublime and

pleasing thoughts."



--Henry David Thoreau




Katie and Clancy in the forbidden chair.



~~~~~~~

Excerpt below taken from Frugal Luxuries, by Tracey McBride, Bantam Books, NY, 1997


M e m o r y M a k i n g


"If you believe, as I do, that time is the most precious commodity, then a memory is the most expensive of luxuries. What makes it so costly is the fact that you must spend your most precious divided, time, to buy it. That being the case, let us briefly explore the concept of making and collecting memories. It costs us nothing but thought and a bit of energy to make a moment happy or unhappy. If you choose to take a positive outlook and/or action, the moment may transform into a happy one, thus creating a happy memory. And a happy memory is the most precious frugal luxury.

....I have a vivid memory of our two older children when they were not quite two and four years old. They had snuck into the living room to play on a certain chair that they were not allowed to sit on. For some reason, this silk damask club chair appealed to them both immensely. Perhaps the cool smoothness of the fabric soothed them, or maybe it was the simple fact that it was forbidden territory. Whatever the reason, one hot afternoon I found them nestled side by side in the outlawed chair. Giggling and laughing.

Katie was wearing nothing but a diaper held in place with silver duct tape (a necessity due to her penchant at the time for discarding the diaper entirely). Clancy was wearing a pair of swimsuit trunks. The combination of the uncharacteristically rebellious behavior, their unexpected camaraderie, and their odd appearance made me laugh and take their picture instead of scolding.

Now that they are both young adults,
this memory has become especially precious to me. Had I simply gotten irritated and not appreciated the moment, I would not have this moment to savor, or the many others like it."

6 comments:

Dana and Daisy said...

the children are the luxury part you know?

Tracey McBride ~ Frugal Luxuries® said...

LOL, Dana, you are soo right!! And a very expensive one at that. :)
Warmly,
Tracey xo

Scrappy quilter said...

This still brings a smile to my face. Hugs..

Tracey McBride ~ Frugal Luxuries® said...

Lol, Clarice! So true. They change everything and make us better people.
Hugs,
Traceyxox


~~~~~~~

Carol, I knew you would remember that story from the first book! I hope you enjoyed the photo. It is the actual picture that I took during the incident. :)
Love,
Tracey xo

June said...

Tracey what a wonderful memory! You may not even have the chair anymore, but you have this sweet memory and photo and of course the beautiful ones in the chair.
Hugs,
June

Tracey McBride ~ Frugal Luxuries® said...

You make a wonderful point June. I do have that lovely chair still... however... that luxurious silk damask is very, very worn, beginning to shred in spots and hidden by a simple white canvas slipcover. My children, on the other hand, are wondrously strong and special souls that enhance my life on a daily basis. So glad I made the better decision. :) Thank you for pointing it out!
Warmly,
Tracey xox

The original "FRUGAL LUXURIES" ~ Based on the books by Tracey McBride ~ Established 1993

A warm Thank You to all kind souls and kindred spirits who generously take the time to leave a comment...your encouragement, trust and support are deeply appreciated...please know that we read each and every message and will respond as time allows.

~~~

Frugal Luxuries
is a registered trademark.


~~~


"FRUGAL LUXURIES: Simple Pleasures to Enhance Your Life and Comfort Your Soul" was written by Tracey McBride and published by Bantam Books, NY, in 1997. It was the first of its genre to synergize the elements of simplicity, frugality and gracious living.

After more than a decade, FRUGAL LUXURIES has never been out of print and is now more relevant than ever.

"It's our hope that a new generation, faced with a teetering economy, will also find this information helpful and enlightening."



Sending Good Thought to Our Special Band of Kind and Kindred Souls!

Frugal Luxuries Book I

Frugal Luxuries by the Seasons Book II

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