After reading this post, and getting a little bummed, I began to wonder what weird things make you happy or cheer you up. For me it is a knit cap, the type you wear in winter, my grandmother made for me about 30 years ago. I still have it and wear it on the rare occasions it gets cold enough. I also have a knit scarf she made but do not get the chance to wear it much. I am kind of surprised I have actually held on to it this long. I went through all the stages with it. From wearing it to schoolnot wanting to wear it as a teen because it was uncool, to now keeping it with me all winter in case it gets cold enough to wear it.
It is the only possession I have that I feel directly connects me to her and I would hate to lose it. In fact I would probably be less bothered if my TV, computer, DVD player etc. were stolen than I would be if I lost the cap. While it would be a giant pain, those things can be replaced. It is probably my one current possession that I will keep until it literally falls apart, and even then, I might still hold onto what ever is left.
It reminds me of going to mamaws house in winter, with that familiar grandma house smell. Bundled up like skiers for Thanksgiving dinner, we’d watch the Dallas Cowboys and parades on TV. Grandma, mom and aunt in the kitchen cooking dinner and ganddad, dad and uncle in the living room, with the kids going back and forth or outside playing football.
Then we would come inside and my dad and uncle would let us sip their beer, wine or mixed drinks. Then my grandfather would find some reason to yell at us kids for one thing or another, then we would spend the rest of the time avoiding or ignoring him (he was difficult to be around and my grandmother was probably the only person on earth who could live with him).
I admit, I do not miss my childhood and teen years and would never want to go through it again, but I do have some nice memories and that is what the cap represents to me. While I often try to forget and not dwell on my growing up years, my hat reminds me that it all wasn’t as horrible as I often remember it being. As silly as it may be I really love that old hat.
