Frills

“Don’t take no shortcuts and hurry along as fast as you can.” Virginia Reed from the Donner Party wrote these words at the ripe old age of twelve.

In this age, when we search for quick and easy, with the emphasis on easy, ways of doing things, much of what we do seems irrelevant seconds after it is over. Live in the moment, be present, hurry along as fast as you can. Life is short!

But I think it’s those first four words that are equally important. Shortcuts can remove a lot of life’s more interesting, and sweeter, moments. I can skim a book and gather the gist of it, but it is only when I really get in to it, that I understand the flavor and texture of the story and not just the story line. I can get a day’s worth of food and fiber in a few liquid drinks, but I miss the character and satisfaction of the food it replaces. I can tell you concisely and quickly, I love you, but then you miss the richer side of my thoughts about you. Shortcuts are the no frills way of living.

And I like frills. I like to sigh as I read tales of people doing things I would love to do, but never will. I like to savor the smells and flavors and textures of my favorite foods as I take my time eating them. I want to let you know how your silliness makes me laugh and your creativity can make me cry. I want you to know all the things about you that stir my heart and fill me with an awe no one else has ever managed, how courageous and brave and strong and unique I think you are.

It’s the frills in life that keep me interested, so don’t write any Cliffs Notes about my life. I want those long drawn out descriptions like Faulkner writes. I didn’t want them when I was young and in a hurry, but times have changed and so have I. When I get closer to the end of this road, I’d like to have a basket full of soft sweet details to ponder over….and maybe a few wild, outrageous ones too!