you deserve a medal

Someone I used to know had the annoying habit of saying, in lieu of ‘thank you’ or some other appreciative feedback for a job well done, “You want a medal or a chest to pin it on?”

Criminy.

But one day, in a particularly foul mood, I found myself repeating this phrase to Paul who was announcing to the world (i.e. the yurt) that he had done some task or another, I can’t remember what it was now. “What,” I said, “do you want a freaking medal for that?” And then in my demon-mumble, “I just did all the dishes and no one’s giving me a medal.” Harsh! I really can be a bee-yatch sometimes.

In response, Paul made me this:

I was surprised at how much I liked receiving this, my first, medal. What had been meant as a shaming statement had been turned around into a gift. Well played, my husband!

Actually, I liked my medal so much, I saved it. And it made me smile every time I saw it, stuck as it was to the bathroom mirror. That’s a lot of happy for a bit of paper and some ribbon.

Thus, the family tradition of making each other medals was born.

For example, here’s one I made for Paul after he, under much duress, and with much demon-mumbling on his part, changed our water filter:

It’s surprising how enjoyable it is to get a medal, even a little paper one, covered in glitter stickers. It’s silly to feel proud of a medal for folding the laundry or making dinner, but hey, Silly Is Good.

That’s a principle to live by, if you ask me.

Here is one Sophie made for Paul, for something she was especially pleased that he had done. (I did the writing, at her request):

In case you can’t see it, there is an arrow on the potty pointing in the direction the seat should go.

Sometimes medals are specific, as in these instances, but other times, they are just for being loved. Like this one, another Sophie creation:

I wish I had kept all the various medals that have been made thus far! Here’s one I received recently.

Sometimes a humble medal, made in love, is just the appreciative gesture someone needs.

Of course, now there is talk of the opposite, a Badge of Shame. This would be for something like “I ate all the chocolate.” Oddly, these evoke a sense of pride, too. Maybe we’re just weird around here.

Category: making things, mayalife