Waiting Two Years for Kazakh Jelly

Two years ago I had the incredible opportunity to travel to Astana, Kazakhstan for work. At some point on the trip, I acquired a small portable jelly (like the shelf-stable kind that sits on a diner table). Somehow, this jelly made it home with me and sat in the bottom left drawer of my fridge waiting for either a special occasion or a “time when I might need travel jelly.” (It is unclear to me now when I thought I might need travel jelly.) 

A few months ago, I was making a peanut butter and jelly bagel and I saw the Kazakh jelly. It seemed as good a time as any for a special treat so I decided to open it. And to be honest? Incredibly mediocre. 

No shade to Kazakhstan or to the company who made the jelly. It’s less about that and more about the fact that I had built this up so much in my mind—“my special Kazakh jelly!”—that nothing short of the divine would have impressed me. 

I can’t help but wondering if I’d had it shortly after coming back if it would have tasted better. Perhaps then, this serves as a reminder to not build things up in your mind. To not hold unrealistic expectations that nobody or nothing, least of all a pat of shelf stable jam, can live up to. And perhaps the habitual double reminder that we needn’t wait for special occasions. 

Today is as good a day as any to do that thing you’ve been putting off. Tonight is a good a night as any to celebrate that thing that went well. Your life is a good a life as any to live. 

Best get to it.