Have your cake and eat it, too.

My Birthday Cake!

Yesterday for my birthday, my family baked me a cake. From scratch. And hand-decorated it, too, with those tiny silver cake decorating tips that I loved watching my Mom use to make edible works of art when I was a little girl.  The cake was so beautiful, I didn’t want to eat it.

But then I thought about what would happen if I didn’t eat it. All the hard work and love that my husband and children put forth would not be appreciated in the way they were meant to be. The cake would eventually dry out into a concrete mass, or worse, would start to grow black fuzzy stuff all over it. In any case, it would go to waste. I could just hear my Mother whispering in one ear about all the children who are starving in third world countries, and Marie Antoinette yapping in the other. No, I couldn’t be selfish and not eat this gorgeous cake. So I did. And it was delicious. Is it possible to taste love? Does it have a flavor? If so, it would be yellow cake with mocha frosting and pink flowers.

How many times do we deny ourselves cake or other indulgences because we consider ourselves unworthy, we want to lose those last five pounds first, this isn’t the right time, or some other excuse? And don’t we all know someone (maybe it’s us) who is saving a piece of jewelry or dressy outfit to wear for a special occasion?

When my aunt passed away, we went to her home to go through her belongings to give away to other family members and charities. On a high shelf in her hallway closet, I found a beautiful gold-leafed set of Chinese bowls, cups and spoons that was probably 30 years old. It had never been used. Ever. Each piece was still wrapped in original tissue paper. My aunt was one of those people who saved things for special occasions. And she never got to enjoy how wonderful a meal would have tasted served on her gold-leafed china because the right special occasion never presented itself.

There are many opportunities we have to experience cake every day:

  • Take the extra five minutes to cuddle with your little ones, or throw a few extra sticks for your puppy
  • Wear the high-heeled pumps to the grocery store
  • Read the hardcover, not the paperback
  • Diamonds are for everyday, not just that special event
  • Drink the expensive wine or the gourmet coffee

There is a special occasion lurking around each corner every day. My aunt’s china found a new home in my kitchen, and we regularly use the dishes and think fondly of her. I’m not saying you have to use your wedding china every day, or constantly gorge yourself with cake and sweets. Moderation in all things. I’m just saying that if someone takes the time to do something nice for you — even if it’s fattening — appreciate and savor it. Then spend an extra half hour on the treadmill. Eat your cake.

4 Comments

  1. […] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Donna Killough. Donna Killough said: It's okay to have your cake and eat it, too. Read on: http://killough.us/?p=927 […]

  2. Barbara says:

    Once again — perhaps because our birthdays are so close and I recently lost my Dad – you hit on something very close to me once again. I lost my Mom when she was only 46 yrs old and had expected, like most of us do, she could wait to enjoy some things later in her life after her kids had grown. Unfortunately, she never did.
    The story of your new Chinese bowls in particular, really resonates for me as we all try and balance hopes for the future and enjoying the moment, because these moments are what ultimately make up our lives. Nothing is really guaranteed – so noticing and appreciating the things we can celebrate every day — manage to carve time out to enjoy — not worry so much about an extra 10 lbs is our zen.
    Thanks, Donna.. I love reading your blog – the cake looks beautiful and delicious. Happy post-Birthday!

  3. Sue Bucher says:

    Hey, I didn’t know you had a blog. You crazy kitty! I’m checking in from now on.

  4. dkillo says:

    Thank you! I hope you will subscribe.

Leave a Reply