Old Towels

When I was a young woman, a new wife trying to find my place in the world, I thought I needed all the shiny new things for my home. The latest appliances, the trendy knick knacks, name brand furniture, matching dishes and fancy linens. Oh the linens! For some reason I loved getting new linens. I still do but now out of necessity. I just had to have all matching linens, coordinating colors, and those useless little finger tip towels. What are those about? When people would come over, even my parents, I'd put out the 'good towels'. Don't look at me like you don't know...you do. I was obsessed in making sure my home looked spit spot when anyone visited. This earned more than a few life lessons from my dad, especially that day I wanted to show off my new towels. He said, "Jean, your old towels are better than my good towels."

It's taken me more than a few years to realize the lesson behind that simple statement: my old good towels were better than most people had and I didn't really need new shiny ones just to show off or feel like I'd arrived as a wife and homemaker. I should be satisfied with what I have because I was already more blessed than I realized. 

I understand it now. With age really does come wisdom and the knowledge that as long as the item works it doesn't really matter what it looks like. I have so many different color towels, different sizes, different kinds. I use Christmas kitchen towels all year long. I have pot holders from my first year of marriage...29 years ago. They still work. They match nothing. None of my pillows are the same. None of my sheets match. Oh how I used to fuss and spend money on 'matching' bed sets. I have a handmade Amish quilt in a bag in the closet because the animals would ruin it. I'd rather the fur babies be happy and comfy than use a fancy quilt no one ever sees anyway. 

In the end what matters is that my family has towels for washing and drying and mopping up pet spills. Our home is happy and healthy (if you're not allergic to pet hair), and well lived in. Over the years I've attempted to get everything to match or have a theme. Eventually something else comes along that's more important than new linens or matching curtains. After all, old towels are good for just about anything. 

So if you come to my house know that nothing matches and there's not many shiny things hanging around (the fur babies have either destroyed them or eaten them). But you'll be treated like family, loved beyond measure and treated to a good cup of coffee. I hope you drop by soon.