The above words came from the mouth of Ginny Bartels, a sales rep I worked with a couple decades ago who was in her 60s at the time. She offered this comment as a reply to a young man who just joined our company in the business office after he told her how old (or young) he was. Ginny then laughed a lot. The rest of us then cringed a little. It was an awkward moment.
I think of the underwear scenario whenever I pull an item of clothing out of my closet and reflect on how old it is. When I tell my kids — whose ages now range from 22 to 27 — that the shirt I put on is older than they are, their response is, “We can tell.”
So be it. I know what I like.
Yes, when the Christmas season arrives, I feel the need to pull out a certain red and green, plaid-patterned shirt that rests peacefully on a hanger in my closet for most of the year. I’m not sure when I bought this festive flannel, but I did see that I was wearing it in a family Christmas photo from 1998. Each Dec. 25, I shake the dust off this shirt and button it up. It’s a tradition, of sorts.
The colors are now fading, some of the buttons are starting to crumble, and the threads are becoming bare, but I just can’t get rid of that holiday shirt. Maybe it’s because I can personally relate to the same aging process. Or maybe I am just sentimental. I don’t know. But I do know I enjoy wearing this shirt every year, as it makes me feel festive. And isn’t that the whole point?
That same festive feeling holds true when I pull out my trusty red cable knit sweater for our company Christmas parties. I don’t wear it much other than for Christmas holiday events — and an occasional Valentine’s Day — so it is still in good shape. It may not be stylish or trendy, but Santa Claus seems to get away with wearing the same clothes each year, so why can’t I?
I am guessing some of you have a similar clothing item you pull out of your closet each holiday season that you have had for many years, and I am sure you appreciate it too.
I only hope it’s not your underwear.
Merry Christmas to you, and thanks for reading.
Shane Goodman
Editor and Publisher
Lake Panorama Times
641-332-2707
shane@gctimesnews.com