Florence Henderson used to sing a song about "Sunday, sweet Sunday, with nothing to do..." It spoke of a simpler time, when Sunday was a special day.

Stores and other businesses were closed. Families took Sunday drives. We either went to church or slept in. We lingered over the thick Sunday paper.

Sunday had a feeling all its own. Leisurely. Quiet, even sleepy. Family oriented. Special, even sacred.

So what's happened? You can't distinguish it from any other day: Cars clog the mall marking lots. Businesses are open Sundays. Saturday's many errands spill over into Sunday.

I think we've lost something. If God rested on the seventh day, maybe we should follow suit. Christians who follow a traditional sabbath and Jews who observe Shabbat can set an example for us all, no matter what our religious views, reminding us to cease work, enjoy family and remember what's most important.

Here are some things we can do to make Sunday special again:

Declare this a work-free day: no housework, no papers from the office. If you're a business owner or work at home, rethink your work hours. Rest, recreate.

Reinstate the Sunday drive. Take back roads. Have a picnic. Discover places you've never been.

Stay out of stores and enjoy the outdoors. Bike through the neighborhood. Hike in the woods. Amble down the beach.

Attend church. Meditate, be alone in nature, write in your journal.

Declare the Family Day. Talk to each other, play games, work on a fun project together, join in preparing a meal, just hang out.

Let's make Sunday a day to savor.