I finally manage to drag myself out of bed and into a hot shower. As I prepare for the day, I inadvertently spray hairspray directly into my face. The experience is as dreadful as one might imagine—hairspray tastes like a blend of crushed aspirin and jagged metal shards. Gazing at my reflection in the mirror, I grimace at my roots. How much gray is peeking through these days? Twenty percent? Maybe thirty? My skin feels parched, yet I have these odd patches of acne on my cheeks. I definitely need to prioritize my self-care, but I can’t dwell on that right now. I have to push through this day.
It’s a preschool day, and we’re running late. I put bread in the toaster oven, only to realize ten minutes later that I forgot to turn it on. I quickly toss some cereal to the kids, and pop an ibuprofen into my mouth. With help from my partner, we somehow manage to get everyone out the door and into the car.
Driving becomes a challenge when you can’t turn your neck. I switch on the radio for some distraction, but it blasts relentlessly cheerful tunes. Ugh, all I really want is some Alanis Morissette, you know?
After dropping the twins off at preschool, I return home with my 2-year-old. The ibuprofen on an empty stomach has numbed my lips, but the pain in my neck still screams at me with every press of the gas or brake. I catch the sweet little one’s gaze in the rearview mirror and silently apologize for the number of Daniel Tiger episodes I plan on playing instead of taking her to playgroup today. I just need a break.
Then, the radio plays a song where a guy sings about how this is “gonna be the best day of [his] li-i-i-i-i-i-iiiife.”
That’s absurd, I think. How can he possibly know that? He sounds so youthful. With any luck, he has another 50 or 60 years ahead of him. It would be unfortunate if every single day after this one paled in comparison.
Then, I have a pair of unsettling thoughts. First, I feel ancient. This guy might be around my age, yet he’s celebrating the best day of his life while I’m just a cynical adult with neck pain. I might as well start purchasing beige slacks and spend my days shaking my fist at the speedy drivers in my neighborhood.
The second, more alarming thought is: Have I already experienced the best day of my life? If that’s true, which day was it? If not, will I even recognize it when it comes? Does anyone know?
I begin to reflect on the standout moments of my life. The exhilarating days of falling in love with my husband were wonderful, but I was so naive back then. The day I became a mother was certainly significant, but it was also exhausting and painful. I wouldn’t want to tell my youngest daughter, “Sure, it was great when you were born, but the best day of my life was when your sisters arrived.”
Vivid memories of past great days flash before me: indulging in heaps of Turkish Delight at a market in London; the breathtaking blue view from a hilltop on a small Maine island; discovering perfect soup by a crackling fireplace in the midst of lush Scottish woods. I’m fortunate—I’ve had many wonderful days. It’s conceivable that the best day of my life has already happened, but I remain hopeful that the best is still ahead. After all, what is life without anticipation?
I start to wonder what “the best day” might look like for me now, at this stage filled with responsibilities. Would it involve my children, or would it be a rare, blissful getaway? Would I prefer to spend it at home or in an enchanting location? Does it even matter? Can anyone truly plan for a day like that, or must you simply wait for it to arrive, like an unexpected gift?
One thing is certain: today is not that day. But tomorrow could be. So, I’m going to invest in some quality face serum, get my roots done, and consult someone about this pain. I want to be prepared for those future best days of my life, whenever they may come and however they may manifest. I turn up the volume on the happy guy’s song. Today may not be the best day of my life, but it’s certainly not the worst, and I won’t let it be the day I start wearing beige slacks.
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In summary, life is a series of ups and downs, and even on a day that feels lackluster, there is hope for better days ahead. Taking care of oneself and remaining open to new experiences is essential to discovering those moments that truly shine.