Twenty-Eight

We shop on my birthday. This has become our tradition - saves my husband the ordeal of maneuvering his way around a store in the hopes of finding the right gift. Not that I require a 'gift' to begin with. Still, once we're in the car, he asks repeatedly what do you want? And follows up with the reminder that, it's your day, you can get whatever you want.

A good cup of coffee? I ask. Check. We stopped by my favorite old cafe on the South Shore and each came away with a nice hot cup of goodness. Then we began perusing stores. What do I want? What do I want?

It shouldn't be such a difficult question. But it is.

We shop the clearance racks, hunt for the best pair of running sneakers at the lowest possible price. Score. And then I settle on a pair of birthday shoes, a BOGO deal at Payless and we buy a pair for Lila as well.

All the while, I'm thinking about what I want vs what I need.

Want:

A fabulous new camera to take sharper, better, faster, pictures of my family.

Plane tickets to Florida (so that we can get on a cruise ship in October)

More good coffee.

Membership to a decent gym (and the time to get there)

Fancy pants (new clothing in general)

Need:

...I realize there isn't anything pressing or urgent.

I have a home. I have vehicles that take me from point A to point B. I have friendship. I have love. I have, I have, I have...

And this makes me happy. Needs are met. Life is good. Wants can wait.