I’m a big fan of sharing baby clothes. We’ve been given a whole mess of hand-me-downs for Nora. I pay it forward at every opportunity.
The four regular readers of this blog know that I am a sentimental freak. So, it will come as no surprise that first time I started gathering up a bag of clothes for a friend’s baby, I picked up a little vintage print onesie only to have my eyes fill with tears. That day, I made a rule, if a garment makes me cry, it goes in storage. When I hand off a bag of clothes, I let the recipient know that they needn’t worry if anything gets ruined. I only pass along things that I never need to see again. I don’t need to harbor resentments towards a friend because her kid got poop stains on a party dress.
What do I plan to do with a Rubbermaid container full of potential tears? Besides keeping it handy for a good cry, I’m saving it for Nora. My in-laws were wonderful about saving special items from Ben’s childhood. They have them stashed and wrap them up for us on special occasions. I especially treasure a little pair of Osh Kosh overalls with embroidery and patches on the knees. Someday, I’ll make a wall hanging of Ben and Nora’s baby overalls, side by side. Whichever room I hang it in, I’ll put a cabinet right underneath, stocked with tissues.
I’m tearing up just thinking about it. Sniff, sniff.