SHOPPING, DINING, BEAUTY & EVENTS PAGE 20 theconnectionsnj.com It is important to me that every day be acknowledged as having value, particularly as time passes more and more quickly each year. It is easy to forget that within each twenty-four hours, much happens or has the potential to happen all around the world, and personally in my world. Slowing down enough to recognize the value of each day is one of my resolutions, and to that end, every day is truly a holiday! My daily calendar this year is so much fun because it celebrates such things as Whipped Cream Day (January 5th) or Lego Day (January 28th) and dozens of obvious or obscure items to be considered. Each morning, as I get my coffee and breakfast together, I rip off the previous page and look with enthusiasm at what is being honored for that day. I typically smile and go on with my puzzles, catching up with the news. But every once in a while, I stop and think about a time in my life the featured holiday brings to memory. National Pizza Day (January 7th) brought back memories of treasured dinners with my father, who adored pizza. His favorite place for the cheesiest of them all was down the shore in Neptune, New Jersey, and we were known to drive the hour to Mom’s Kitchen late at night for a slice…okay, for an entire pie. The oil dripping down my hands as I took my first bite, burning the roof of my mouth mercilessly, slurping an ice cold soda, swirled in my mind. The image of my father, who we lost at a very young 45 years old, as alive and vibrant, pulling the stringy mozzarella from his cheek, brought tears to my eyes, and I felt a thrill flutter in my chest for a moment. Celebrating Cloud Day (January 21st) was surreal because the clouds of late have been quite amazing. High and puffy, white tinged with hints of pink or gray, animals and continents, fruit and amorphous visions all dance in the skies at different times and at different points throughout the day. How did the calendar creator know such images would appear, disappear, and reappear before my eyes on a regular basis? February 2nd is Tater Tot Day and that reminds me of being a young mother, desperately trying to entice my daughters to stop playing long enough to eat dinner. “Tater Tots, Girls,” I would yell with fingers crossed that they would find the salty treat worthy of putting down whatever had their attention. I reminded myself of the commitment I made to “never eat off their plate” as my number one homage to watching my weight. Now I think about the joy I have when we are all in the same place, eating the much more sophisticated foods they enjoy. Tater Tots are replaced by sushi, sashimi, and the like. “When did all of this change?” I ask myself. One of my favorites is February 7th, Send a Card to a Friend Day. I love this because I am blessed with many friends, some I see regularly and some, from time to time. But it also reminds me of my friends I have lost, and how I wish I could send them a card. If this day has reminded me of nothing else, it has pointed out that today is the day to do what is in my heart, not to wait. Somehow, I know in the deepest part of me, that nothing is more important, and I am grateful my calendar reminded me of a loving holiday. SLICE OF LIFE Everyday is a Holiday By Ellyn Mantell Slowing down enough to recognize the value of each day is one of my resolutions, and to that end, every day is truly a holiday! 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