Back in January, without my husband or my children, I traveled to England for one month. I stayed in religious communities in London, Surrey, Devon and Bath and contemplated the concept of Joy. Many of the seeds for my book proposal for Undaunted Joy the book came out of that month. (If you are curious, you can look up the hashtag #undauntedjoy to peek in on the journey.)
On that trip, I only had one travel backpack. I did not have a washer until the last week I was in England and mostly washed my clothes in the sink and strung them out to dry on radiators around the monasteries I stayed at.
I wore the same two pairs of pants, four shirts and two sweaters over and over and over. For 30 days. When I returned to Seattle, I never wanted to see those 8 pieces of clothing ever again.
The weather has changed. Seattle is cold and wet and dreary again. So down I went to the basement to bring up my hampers of fall and winter clothes.
This morning, I pulled out one of the old sweaters. A simple grey crew neck sweater. The one I never wanted to see again. I packed it in my gym bag. After my workout, after I showered and began to dress, I told, not one but TWO people in the locker room that I was wearing one of my England sweaters. I told the whole story and when I told it the second time, I had to grab a tissue BECAUSE I WAS CRYING---and laughing. I was EMOTIONAL about my sweater!
I was wrapped in this sweater as I ran to transfer trains at a four-track station somewhere in southern England. This sweater was with me as I took epic sodden and slick walks through the Surrey farmlands. And I wore this sweater as I knelt for compline each night in a Victorian monastery as monks sprinkled my head with holy water for a peaceful night’s sleep. I wore this sweater during one of the happiest times of my entire life. This sweater watched me push through trials and loneliness to develop perseverance, character and hope. (Romans 5:5) This sweater is an old friend.
I know I am not alone in finding comfort in a piece of clothing. And I know I am not alone in finding that often the sweetest joy is the one that brings tears to your eyes.
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This week I posted a list of my favorite children’s faith filled books for under the tree. I hope you find a few to make Christmas shopping easier.
I can almost feel what that sweater feels like to you.... physically and emotionally! It’s amazing to me how we “connect” certain pieces of clothing with the experiences we’ve had in them. I had a blue lightweight down jacket I bought solely for my travels to see my eldest son, daughter in law and my 3 baby grandsons! Just thinking about that jacket brings back explicit memories that I hold so dear to my heart! Thank you for stirring up this time of reflection, gratitude and joy Shemiah! Love the weekly read! I so look forward to it!
One of your best ! You invite your readers to imagine what clothing connects them to experience.