A "Day Bank" Offering

Sunset on Maui

“I wish there existed a ‘Day Bank’ where we could donate

a day of our lives to someone else to use.” Isn’t this the

most brilliant concept? A Substack reader made this comment

and it has remained with me.

I recall having to apply for days when I was having my second

child, as the school district I worked for did not offer maternity

leave yet. One had to use their ‘sick days’ and I had used a chunk

of them previously with the birth of my son. It was a ‘bank’ where

teachers generously donated days they were not going to utilize.

Such a blessing, yes? It saved our young family from days

without pay when I needed the last three weeks of school for my

May baby.

The idea of a “Day Bank,” where one offers just one more day for

a variety of reasons. The way in which it was spoken about was a

reader of a post desired to give a couple one more day to be

together.

This thought has come in for me often. What I wouldn’t give for

one more bone cracking bear hug, secrets shared, belly laughs,

endless arm tickles, locating the first star of the evening, making

sure we always had enough ketchup for our fries. Who can ever

conclude such a list? I cannot. It is endless, just as our Love is.

How many days might we need? Would one more ever be

enough?

Suleika Jaouad’s shares, “Rather than living every day as if

it’s my last, I’ve shifted to a gentle approach of living

every day as it’s my first. I want to wake up and meet the

day with the wonder of a newborn, to cultivate childlike

qualities like curiosity and play.”

Suleika realizing that this focus was a more gentle and

sustainable approach rather than one of urgency trying to make

every day count.

My dear mom gazing up at me days before she was ready to

transition to her next adventure. Wondering if she was doing it

right? Her performance anxiety had kicked into high gear and she

was certain there must be a way, and was she doing it? Those

chocolate drop brown eyes of hers locked into mine. I nodded a

resounding yes, and she got on with where her energy needed to

be invested. In the shedding of her earth suit. Her being was

highly cognizant, yet don’t we all long for reassurance along the

way? I’m so grateful she inquired, because I instantly felt an

energetic shift within that precious mother of mine. It was

palpable.

My “Day Bank” would be slim to depleted. There are many I

would generously give to. I suspect many of us baby boomers

might be nodding quietly in agreement? Not that I don’t value the

gift of my life. Sharing is what we are born to do, trusting that we

have enough. I have two young adults in my life, and out of

respect for their privacy, I will only state I would not only offer

one more day, yet years if it were my choice.

My mom would often say, “Modern medicine keeps you alive, and

then no one knows what to do with you?” We always roared over

this, yet my father, not so much, as he envisioned one hundred or

older for him. Lofty goals, indeed.

How does this “Day Bank” feel for you dear readers? I cannot

stop imagining it. Perhaps in some alternate universe our gifting

one more day might become a reality.

*My gratitude for your presence here. If you like what you

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helps me get this out into the ethers. Also, your

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please never hesitate if you feel so called to pass any of

my posts along to someone you are thinking of.

Trinie wishing a Happy Halloween to one and all