It's funny how things have changed over the years. I can remember when I got married, it was all about me. What hors d'oeuvres, which dress, what kind of car to drive us, where to go on our honeymoon... but I'm seeing a trend lately that has me thinking. I was commissioned to make a wedding sign for a "green wedding" last week. The bride explained that they hoped to use things that had been recycled or reclaimed in some way for their wedding.
The prospect was interesting and I set off into the woods behind my house to find the perfect piece of wood. It's still bare around here so as I looked I also noticed all the cans and newspapers that had blown in from the last wind storm. I thought about how much we use and throw away everyday and what kind of world my kids will grow up in...my grand kids?
In my business I try to recycle and reuse as much as possible. It saves me money in packaging, but it also uses something that will otherwise end up in a landfill. It's a treasure trove in Target on Friday mornings as they unpack the weekend stock. I can go and get my fill of boxes and bubble wrap (ooh, bubble wrap) every week. But am I doing enough?
I look at this bride and think about how environmentally conscious she is trying to be on one of my most selfish days. I think this is what we have created in the next generation due to our overuse of resources. We have forced them to always consider their impact. I hope it rubs off on the rest of us.
