The Special Plate
(Get ready for the sappy post people!)

I do not remember where I read about the Special Plate.  Somewhere online or in a book a family used the Special Plate as a way to recognize the importance of a singular family-member at dinner time.  I do not remember how that family used the Special Plate.  Perhaps it was to celebrate achievements, good choices or general special-ness of the individual in the family. 

For our family The Special Plate is brought out every now and then during dinner for one family member and this family member knows they are the special someone for that dinner.  We do not have one Special Plate (as the other family described), rather one of our plates will be of a different design or pattern than the rest and this is how we know who is designated on a particular night.  For instance I have a plate from my mom's house and one from my mother-in-law's house (not sure how that happened), but neither plate matches the rest of our plates.  So on a night that a child or a parent eats off these plates they are deemed Special. 

What does that mean?  Well, for us means we go around the table and everyone says one thing they like about our Special family member.  This can be an attribute, memory, action or talent of the individual.  For Ramona's night, which happened to be tonight, I said that I love her exuberance, her father loves how well she did in school this year and her sister loves playing dolls with her.  Recently we added a new catch, now the individual has to say one thing they like about themselves. 

I am not sure how often we do this, maybe a couple times a month.  Sometimes this happens by accident when I do not pay close attention to what dishes I am using.  There are times I feel someone needs special acknowledgement.  And of course, when we just need a change of pace. 

Regardless of how the night comes about it is always great to recognize how appreciated we are in our families and to have the self esteem to know what we like in ourselves.  Just like saying what we are grateful for, I have found that we hesitate when we have to say what we like about ourselves.  It feels unnatural and awkward.  But why should it??? 

For my daughters I truly hopes this habit carries them through the years coming up - I hope this gives them confidence, as well as aids them in knowing how truly important and wonderful they are to the family.

What I like about myself:  My intense desire to constantly work towards being better at
what is important to me.  I work at being a mom, I work at writing, I work at photography,
 I work at being a friend, I work at being my man's support and love,
and I never stop when I fail.  I just dust myself off, whine a bit and get back on the saddle.

I fixed the error on my blog that did not allow commentary.  Please feel free to leave something you like about yourself.  If you feel up to it.  :-)  Or just write it down some where, in a journal or on a post it.   

Happy Early Wednesday to my Family and Friends!