It's the Little Things

I went to the thrift store today. I'm not typically a thrift store shopper, but I've frequented them more since I've discovered Pinterest. I now love the thought of purchasing (at a low cost) something old and used and making it my own. My purpose in this particular visit was to search for items for the apartment I'm looking to rent in the near future.
I wasn't looking for anything specific; just something small I could re-purpose as a weekend project, then use in my apartment. I found a few small lamps I was going to paint and put in the living room, then wandered to the furniture section, just in case. And this is where the magic happened. I found the most perfect coffee table. I wasn't looking for a coffee table. I've never felt the need for a coffee table. But now... I need a coffee table. I'm not sure if it's the fact that it's a coffee table, or even that it's perfect, as much as the fact that it will be mine. In my apartment. I need this coffee table, and I need the independence and adult-ness that come with it.
When I decided to express my need for this coffee table to the man to whom I'd given the honor of carrying it to my car, he informed that I'd be wiser to wait until tomorrow to make my purchase, because tomorrow everything in the store will be 50% off. I'll get my coffee table for $12.50.
Twelve dollars and fifty cents for my first step into adulthood. I couldn't pass it up. I left the store empty handed. And it's been gnawing at me ever since. I mean, what if I get there tomorrow morning and it's gone? What if someone else bought my independence?
There's something to be said for patience. I don't have it. I would love to think that if the coffee table and I are meant to be, it will be there in the morning. But I just can't convince myself. And I'm not good at waiting to find out.
I'm not good at waiting in general. I've been looking forward to this apartment for a long time. It's such an exciting time, but I've felt as though I'm stuck waiting for the excitement to happen. I've been consumed with planning for it - financially, mentally, materially, etc.
When making life changes as I've been trying to make lately, it is easy to get caught up in the "looking forward." But I've found that this waiting process is a learning experience in itself. This is a time in my life that I'll never have again, and I shouldn't want to rush out of it.
I'm learning to appreciate the here and now, though it's not always easy. It's the little things - like getting up at 7:15 on a Saturday morning with my mom to head to Good Will in hopes to spend $12.50 on a coffee table - of which I'm learning not to take advantage.
I'm thankful for the things to come. And now, I can honestly say I'm thankful for the meantime.