The rise and fall of the perfect X
The perfect....robe, slippers, sweater, you name it.

Every so often, if you are very lucky, it comes along. The perfect X. The pair of jeans that fits like a glove. (If you wore gloves on your thighs.) The perfectly soft, perfectly comfy pair of jammies. The most comfortable boots ever. And you rejoice.

"At last!" you cry in exultation (after all, your life isn't really that thrilling, is it?). "I have found it. The most wonderful X ever!" And you wear it with joy, comfort, and pride. It's the article of clothing you reach for when you need to feel good. Or the one you wear more often than other, less perfect examples of the ilk. And you love it.

And then, alas, the time comes when the perfect X wears out. The sleeves start to fray. The leather gets too scuffed to be repaired. You discover a hole in a spot where there shouldn't be one.

When that time comes, it's the end of an era. You can never duplicate that perfect X. You may search but you really never do find anything nearly as good. Good enough, but not perfect. It can be a traumatic event. You mourn the loss of the perfect X. Sometimes you might not even be able to bring yourself to throw it away. It will be put out to pasture in the bottom of your closet because it deserves a more dignified ending than being turned into a car wash rag.

So today I urge you to take a moment to treasure your own perfect X. Long may it wave. And let me say, just for the record, that it looks fabulous on you.