We’re enjoying some wonderful time on our vacation. We needed the time away desperately, and it’s proving to have its magical, restorative properties like it always does.

Last night, we had a lovely dinner here at our hotel. After being seated next to a large plate glass window, overlooking the flickering outdoor fireplace on the other side, and the mountains and sunset beyond, we settled in and were greeted by a darling young woman who introduced herself as Caitlin.

Kevin said, “I would bet that you’re in your mid- to late-twenties, based on your name. My guess is 25.”

Surprised, she said, “Yes! I actually just turned 26 on December 31st! But, you know, my name wasn’t going to be Caitlin. For months, my parents had decided on Lucy, but in the middle of the night, right before I was born, my dad woke up with a start and announced that I was NOT going to be a Lucy. I was supposed to be a Caitlin!”

“You could’ve pulled off being a Lucy, but Caitlin does seem to suit you better,” I interjected.

“Yes,” she said, “when I was young, and my mom told me this story, I was mad they didn’t go with Lucy. So mad, in fact, that I named every pet I ever had Lucy, just so it would be used! I became obsessed with ‘I Love Lucy,’ and wanted to be a Lucy in the worst way. But as I got older, I realized that Caitlin is who I really am. It was time to stop pretending and be me!”

Then, she went about the business at hand, took our drink orders and went off to get them filled, leaving me to mull over her words. You, too, if you’re smart.

So often – TOO OFTEN – we see someone we think has it better. They’re better-looking, wealthier, better-employed, in a better relationship, smarter, funnier, have better friends, and on and on and on, ad nauseum.

Or so we think.

We will ourselves into being them, because of their bright and shiny life, forcing ourselves into their name like an ill-fitting pair of pants. But that name will never fit because it’s not ours.

I repeat: their name is not our name. IT WILL NEVER FIT.

Let’s not waste our time in the ill-fitting-pant section of life. Let’s find the section where everything fits because it’s the section with our name on it.

OUR NAME.

In the immortal words of Caitlin: It’s time to stop pretending and be US…YOU and ME.

Embrace who YOU are today, and love all that entails…the not-so-perfect looks, bank account, job, relationship, brains, sense of humor, and friends. Love them all, because the perfect person’s life you’ve been comparing yours to isn’t perfect, guaranteed. I promise they’re schlepping through this life just like you are, and might just be walking a dog named Lucy.

Yes, all have sinned; all fall short of God’s glorious ideal. ~ Romans 3:23 TLB

You are not to covet what your neighbor has or set your heart on getting his house, his wife, his male or female servants, his ox or donkey, or anything else that belongs to your neighbor. ~ Exodus 20:17 VOICE