Rabbits New Rug

When Allen and I were engaged, one of the fun things we looked forward to was registering for gifts. We both agreed on 2 things.....1st, we were not going to register for the most expensive things just because they were gifts. I had just come off of a HUGE wave of friends getting married and couldn't understand why some of my friends didn't have ANYTHING on their registry for under $30.00. I mean no offense for those of you who did register for everything expensive but there was (and still is) no reason why we would need a $20.00 mixing bowl when a $6.00 one does the same thing.
The 2nd thing we agreed on was neither of us wanted Fine Crystal! We didn't want any of it!! No pretty china goblets, bowls, decanters, vases, etc! My Grandma "E" told me a long time ago that I will inherit her China since I am the oldest grandchild so we didn't need to register for more. I want hers anyway because it is hers!! I love that I will be able to pass that along to MY grandchildren and say it was MY grandmothers! That is special and that is why I want it! But other than that, we didn't want people to buy us pretty crystal things that will sit in a cupboard because it is too expensive to use. We did however, register at REI for tents, camping stoves, sleeping bags, etc. We wanted things that we would use regularly and that was more "us". Ironically, few people actually bought us things off of our registry and instead bought us things on their own. Can you guess what we got more of than anything?? Freaking Fine Crystal!!! I am not kidding. We got goblets, decanters, figurines, you name it. I mean I don't want to sound ungrateful because i am thankful people even gave us anything, but i mean... really??

So...These 12 crystal wine goblets, BEAUTIFUL wine goblets, have been sitting in my cupboard for almost 6 years and have NEVER been used! I am always afraid I am going to break one. Between Noah and I, we aren't the most graceful 2 in the world.

Well, about 2 months ago I was putting Noah to bed as usual and was reading our nighttime story. That night he chose a book that was mine when I was his age. It is called Rabbits New Rug. It is about this Rabbit who buys a new rug. He invites all his friends over to see the rug. His friends are all excited to be invited to Rabbits house and as each one enters the house, they all give Rabbit a homemade gift (all some sort of food). Rabbit won't let any of his friends stand on the rug or eat the homemade goodies for fear of the Rug getting dirty. Rabbits friends all get annoyed with this and since they aren't having any fun standing up against the wall, they all leave. Days go by and Rabbit gets lonely and decides to invite them all back over. At first the friends are all hesitant but go anyway. This time, Rabbit has a huge party with food and streamers and games. The rug gets filled with crumbs and streamers and footprints but Rabbit doesn't care because he is thankful for his friends.

While i was reading to Noah, I couldn't help but think of my 12 pretty wine goblets sitting in the "unused" cabinet in our small house. So that night I moved those 12 crystal goblets front and center in the "I open this a million times a day" cabinet. I now only drink my wine from those glasses. I also pass those glasses out first when we have company over and use the "everyday wine glasses" as overflow. The things is , is that I don't care if they get broken, I am just glad they are being used!! So thanks Mr Rabbit for reminding me that life is about enjoying the PEOPLE in our lives...not the stuff!!