I love this word. True, it's a dated word, one we don't hear all that often. Some would call it ridiculous, something to avoid, confining, old-fashioned. For after-all, we tend to want to discard all things not ... new.

I love new. I love to acquire new things, I like to look at new things, I'm sometimes inspired by new things.

But I love old better. I love character and longevity and history and meaning and culture.

I have a dear neighbor who at time uses this word, with a slightly British accent, I might add. I love it when she says the word because it sounds so much more "proper." Smile.

While I appreciate the word, proper, I am more enamored by its meaning. Once upon a time we lived in a world where behaviors and actions and standards had a sense of "properness" (yes a word -- the noun of proper). It was an achievement to aspire to that had nothing to do with politics.

In our day, it seems, our "standards" of propriety are governed not by graciousness toward others as much as they're governed by political correctness and its reflection upon ourselves. What we believe, how we teach not train our children, what charities we promote, how we interact with others, even which political party we favor.

In generations past, there was a world that used to exist where what was indeed "proper" was taught from generation to generation; methods of housekeeping, terms of address, behavior toward others, social niceties, graciousness ... standards of living.

I didn't grow up in that world but from this generation looking back ... it looks pretty enticing and beautiful.

Just something to think about on this early October Monday morning.


prop·er (adjective)
dictionary.com

1. adapted or appropriate to the purpose or circumstances; fit; suitable: the proper time to plant strawberries.
2. conforming to established standards of behavior or manners; correct or decorous: a very proper young man.
3. fitting; right: It was only proper to bring a gift.
4. strictly belonging or applicable: the proper place for a stove.
5. belonging or pertaining exclusively or distinctly to a person, thing, or group.