folding clothes............

This afternoon I was handling every piece of clothing I have.  You should know that not all of it is beautiful.  Some of it is worn & faded.  Some of it barely fits.  And much of all of the above, I can't let go of.  There is this blue long-sleeve waffle-weave t-shirt that I've had for a very long time.  I've worn it on hikes.  I've worn it to Chalice team meetings.  I've worn it for working around the house.  As the sleeves have begun to fray, I've worn it mostly to do housework and chores.  I picked it up today & asked myself which stack it belongs in... "move to Missouri" or "recycle with Phoenix Fibers"????????  I got past that decision with relative ease.  Then later I picked up the black cotton sweater that I've loved (and worn) for maybe 10 years.  I didn't even try it on.  I just said to myself, "I'm not throwing this one away."  I don't think it's clothing I'm attached to.  I think it's memories.

I have resigned my ministry position at Chalice Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) - did that at the end of February.  I began preparation to move back to the midwest, which is my childhood home, two years ago or more.  My heart has been calling me home so I can watch my grandsons August and Jacob wrestle and play football, and my granddaughter (Go, Maggie!) play rugby.  Tonight, right now, as I write, she is singing with her choir in concert at Park Hill High School.  I would love to be there.  I WILL be there... soon.  And the youngest of my grandchildren, Aiden and Silas, will very soon come for sleepovers at Gram's house.  And I will spoil them.  I promise to spoil them all.  I promise to make up for all the possibilities of spoiling them that I've missed.

And now I need to get back to my closet.  If you've ever heard me say I have nothing to wear, please know that I was caught up in the delerium of privilege and didn't know what I was saying.