Treats!

Take a good look at that package!

Dog Treats - those words stand out loudly and clearly.

But look again, above and below and you will see that these treats are produced by Omaha Steaks. I suspect most of you are at least somewhat familiar with Omaha Steaks. They are the ones who deal in seriously premium cuts of meat and related edibles.

These treats are all natural and contain premium contents.

Shall we say that these treats are the Cadillac of dog treats? Or BMW? or Mercedes? 

Something like that, right?

Anyhow, some months ago I place an order for some items for my freezer from Omaha Steaks. When the items were totaled up, I still needed some small purchase to qualify for free shipping. Paying for shipping was more expensive. Solution? Buy something else and rather than spend on the shipping, get something more for yourself.

The only problem with that was that I did not need more. What I had already ordered would qualify for filling my freezer. However, that is when I noticed the premium dog treats. Having a dog, I decided this was the answer. 

Dog gets treats and I get free shipping.

When the shipment arrived, I tucked those treats away for "A Special Occasion." Dog had plenty of other treats to work on.

And then came the last few weeks.

I began to realize that these just may be the last days for Dusty.

And he had all those premium treats.

Waiting for "A Special Occasion."

If he doesn't get them now, he may never get them!

Well, in the time he had left, he got a few but plenty got left behind.

"A Special Occasion."

How many of us do that?

I know that I do.

I can look on that shelf and see those special and expensive bottles of scotch that have been given me over the years.

There they are, waiting for "A Special Occasion."

When Dad passed away, he left behind some boxes of shirts, still unused, still waiting for "A Special Occasion."

Some years back I was laid up after surgery and a priest was assigned to temporarily serve the parish. One evening he asked if I would enjoy a glass of wine. I accepted. He poured a fine wine. In fact I thought I recognized it. So I asked and he gave me the name of the wine. He had opened the bottle of wine I had bought some time back and was saving for Easter Dinner! 

With an assortment to choose from, he had chosen the one premium bottle!

So much for that "Special Occasion."

Those left behind premium dog treats are now serving as a challenge to me.

Can I start to see every day as "A Special Occasion?"

I have waited through retirement, turning 70, reaching my 50th Anniversary and turning 80. Somehow, up until now that "Special Occasion" has not arrived.

Those unenjoyed premium dog treats now remind me to realize that, if I wait long enough, that "Special Occasion" will be my funeral!

And that will be someone else' s "Special Occasion."

It's time to believe that, because my heart is beating, I am breathing, the sun is shining, there are so many good people in my life today, this is "A Special Occasion."

Now is the time to recognize the blessings of the Present Moment and celebrate.