Is there a better time to reflect on the seasons of your life than when you are cleaning out your closet? I found so many “seasons” in my closet, surprisingly, since I live in Louisiana. With each “season” I found different memories. Memories that made me happy and sad. Memories of events, people, love, laughter, heartache, and blessings.
High School…
A box full of high school formals that no longer fit me because I’ve had four kids and don’t have the same hips as I did in high school, which makes me sad. On the other hand, that box made me happy because I have fond memories of those dances and those friends. They even made new memories by putting stars in my three-year-old daughter’s eyes! She picked her favorite, put it on, and pranced around most of the morning. She twirled and laughed and there was nothing but joy. My heart was full.
College…
An outfit that I wore in nursing school for every test, way in the back of my closet. This outfit was dubbed “my test-taking outfit.” It started out as superstition and ended up being a funny memory. That outfit gave me the courage and reduced anxiety and was the root of so many jokes that helped me get through such a stressful time. In that outfit, I saw all of my friends who made up such a strong support system. I saw teachers that made an impact on my life. I thought about a particular teacher, who fought such a brave and courageous battle with cancer and lost. She was so very dear to my heart and had a very large part in making me the nurse I am today. I thought about a dear friend from school, that’s currently battling cancer and how tough it is to watch someone you hold dear to go through that.
Becoming a Wife…
The button-down shirt with my future initials that I wore to get my hair and makeup done before my wedding. It brought me straight back to that day, surrounded by the best of friends, my mom, and niece. Seriously, one of the best times of my life! The shirt I wore the morning after our wedding, to travel to our honeymoon. The bride and groom hats that we wore on the plane. The stories, dancing, drinking, laughter, and shenanigans from the night before. The out of town friends. The husband God brought to me when I had given up on finding love. The memories flooded back in!
Motherhood…
Maternity clothes…oh, maternity clothes. I started a box to hand down to my cousin who is pregnant and starting that season of her life when I’ve ended mine. It hit me like a ton of bricks and the tears flowed. I wore these clothes for practically the last 5 years. I grew every tiny miracle wearing those clothes. I felt every kick, every hiccup, heard every heartbeat wearing those clothes. I was so sad but at the same time so happy to be able to bless someone else. Baby number four was the last birth I would experience. I felt complete as a mother when she came into this world. But when I started filling that box, I created an emptiness I was not prepared for. I think this season of life was the hardest for me to close thus far.
I boxed up a lot of those memories and I can hardly wait to open them back up again. People say, it’s just stuff, right?
