I’ve accumulated a lot of clothing over the years; sports coats, dress suits, casual jackets, you name it. Pretty much any trendy sweatshirt, hoodie, souvenir t-shirt or baseball jersey, at one point or another, has made its way into the black hole that is my closet. But there is one particular piece that I’m strangely attached to. One simple article that has been my mainstay, the “go to” keystone of my personal wardrobe that will never, ever be donated to Horizon Goodwill. Today, I am going to finally confess the reason why…….
Since moving the family from Pittsburgh, I’ve become what you might consider a Horizon Goodwill groupie. That might not sound like a normal statement from a 44-year-old male, but check out this post and I’m sure you’ll have a better understanding of why I feel this way. Even my wife and seven-year old daughter have organically learned about what an amazing organization Horizon Goodwill is. Where else can you help others, and yourself, at the same time? But, I have to say, for the record, there are some things you simply should never donate. For me, it’s my corduroy tan jacket.
Downsizing led to us donate quite a bit of clothing and appliances, even old computers, but there was almost an international incident when Missy took it upon herself to decide what clothing I could do without.
It’s Always A Good Time To Help Others By Cleaning Out Your Closet
Me: “Whoa! You donated my pants, but there is no way you’re giving away that jacket!”
The Wife: “John, it’s old! It’s horribly outdated! When you wear it you look like a frumpy college professor. You don’t want this.”
(Editor’s Note: There is absolutely nothing wrong with frumpy college professors or being mistaken for one.)
Me: “It’s not about want, it’s about need! That jacket is like my….you know….it helps me…”
The Wife: “What? Spit it out! It helps you what?”
Honestly, readers, I didn’t want to verbalize the reasons this raggedy old sports coat was so important to me. It wouldn’t sound right and there’s no way Missy would understand. She was literally standing there, holding my precious coat hostage. I couldn’t help myself. I blurted it out before I even knew what I was saying.
Me: “It makes me a better writer, ok?”
Dead silence. Her eyes turned from me, to my prized coat resting in her hands, then back to me.
The Wife: “Here’s your cape, Superman.”
She gently tossed the jacket at me.
It’s not a superstition. I’m not overly sentimental. I will admit, right now, online for the entire world to see, my wife was right. (Trust me, guys, your wife is always right, just accept it.) But there is something about this jacket that helps me be creative.
I know it doesn’t have supernatural powers. I purchased it from a department store about 20 years ago, but it has been with me through thick and thin, kind of like Missy now that I think about it….. I would be totally lost without this coat. I don’t care how old it is or how “frumpy” it makes me look, heck it’s not even that comfortable, but it’s mine.
Of course the next half hour was spent with Missy presenting various articles from my closet as I gave the thumbs up or thumbs down gesture, sealing the fate of each of my garments. I watched as the pile of shoes, ties, slacks and shirts grew larger on our bed, segregated for donation. I didn’t care; my tan corduroy had been spared.
Nothing more was ever said about the subject. I can’t help to notice, however, that every time I head off to work wearing my prized jacket she gives me a little smirk along with my morning smooch. I just can’t figure out why today as I was leaving, wearing the corduroy, her parting words were “Have a great day at work, Linus.”
