>> HOW MANY OF YOU HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM I HAVE: YOU RECEIVE A GIFT CARD FOR A BIRTHDAY, OR AS A "“THANK YOU,"” AND YOU TUCK IT AWAY TO USE ON SOMETHING SPECIAL.

EXCEPT NOTHING IS EVER SPECIAL ENOUGH TO WARRANT USING THE GIFT CARD.

NEW CLOTHES?

NO, TOO PEDESTRIAN.

GROCERIES?

TOO QUOTIDIAN.

THAT ITEM IN YOUR "“SAVED FOR LATER"” AMAZON LIST?

YOU DON'’T REALLY NEED IT RIGHT NOW.

I MEAN, DO YOU EVEN REALLY NEED IT?

BETTER SAVE THE GIFT CARD FOR SOMETHING YOU NEED.

LIKE GROCERIES.

AND AROUND AND AROUND IT GOES.

BY THE TIME YOU'’RE READY TO USE THAT GIFT CARD, YOU'’LL OPEN UP THE ENVELOPE AND NOTHING BUT DUST WILL FALL OUT.

I CAN'’T HELP BUT THINK OF THE LATE MINNESOTA PLAYWRIGHT TOM POOLE, WHO PASSED MUCH TOO EARLY.

AT HIS MEMORIAL SERVICE, WHICH WAS PACKED, A FRIEND TOLD A STORY ABOUT BEING OUT TO DINNER WITH TOM AND SHE WAS WORRIED ABOUT EATING TOO MANY TACOS.

TOM SAID SOMETHING LIKE, "“JUST EAT THE TACOS,"” ENCOURAGING HER TO ENJOY A DELICIOUS MEAL BECAUSE WE NEVER KNOW WHEN WE'’RE DONE HERE.

I TRY TO REMEMBER THAT WHEN I'’M SAVING SOMETHING FOR A "“SPECIAL OCCASION.

"” EVERY DAY IS A SPECIAL OCCASION.

USE THE GIFT CARD FOR A "“WANT"” NOT A "“NEED.

"” WEAR THE "“NICE"” OUTFIT TO THE GROCERY STORE.

AND GO AHEAD AND EAT SOME DELICIOUS TACOS.