I’ve always been good about weeding my clothes closet and dresser, but part of my downsizing project this spring was to make some tough decisions on clothes I’ve been saving for sentimental reasons.
TWICE I put the bicycle nightgown in the giveaway bag.
TWICE I took it out.
Swirl back in time with me for a second.Laura, four years old, sits on the floor of the dressing room at Belks.
First I try on a flowered nightgown.Then a white one with green bicycles racing across it.
“Which one should I get?” I ask her.
She points to the gown above. “That one.”
“How come?”
“Bicycles.”
About ten years ago, I turned into a pajama girl. But I couldn’t let that nightgown go. Those bicycles stayed parked in the bottom of my dresser drawer.
Then came downsizing.Then came my failed attempts to give away the nightgown in May.
Before my hysterectomy for endometrial cancer in July, I was told, “Plan to wear nothing with waistbands for two weeks.”
No pajamas, so I bought a new nightgown.The night I returned from the hospital, I put it on. Woa! Way too tight. My belly was swollen like I was six month’s pregnant.
Guess what fit?
When I learned my uterus had to go, I felt such gratitude for the little girls it gave me.
The nightgown stays.
Photo: Above: Laura, around the time she helped make the nightgown decision.
Sentimental things appear and just can’t be parted!
So sweet!!!!
I remember that little girl! Seems like yesterday!
Lovely story. Keep it. Even if it turns to dust rags at some point. Or maybe a doll nightie!
Love a doll nightie. Must get me a granddaughter! But hey, I bet Elmo or Curious George could use a nightshirt!
Love it, and happy you kept it. But I have to say, I was a little disappointed it wasn’t about a nightgown you could wear for bicycling…I would buy that!
Yep. You could jump out of bed and hop right on your bike!
Sweet story! Hard to get rid of these things that evoke such memories!
Yeah for a soft, comfy nightgown that you could still snuggle in.
Laura hasgood taste. Hope you are feeling better and recovering
Your story warms the heart! Your uterus may be gone, but the bicycle gown was there – not only to comfort you, but to remind you of what you and your uterus were able to bring forth! Of course, no downsizing of treasures like that.
Nope. It’s a keeper!
A future option would be to make something from some of the fabric, once it’s too far gone to wear – a journal cover, a pillow or pillowcase, a child’s apron (the fabric is suitable for a boy or a girl), a tote bag ….
Yes. Will ponder!
That nightgown is so cool! Don’t ever give that away! I would totally love some bike pajamas for myself.
Kath has some shirts with bikes on it, but perhaps you do too. Hey look at this:
http://www.cafepress.com/+bike_fun_womens_dark_pajamas,595291940?utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=595291940&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=sem-cpc-product-ads&utm_content=search-pla
A bit risque for my tastes but clever enough!
You could turn it into quilt squares…
Cute story!! Glad you kept the gown!
Wonderful story. I, too, am trying to downsize, and I have one rule – if it makes me happy, keep it. I’m glad you kept it. 😀
Good rule, Patti! You are very wise.