While doing some cleaning in the old closet last night I came across a shirt that doesn’t fit and is no longer in style.  I will never wear it again.  I started to put it in the Goodwill bag and couldn’t so I just hung it back on the hanger and put it in the back of my closet.  For years now, I’ve thought that I just need to get rid of this shirt, to donate it or put it in the rag bin and just can’t make myself do it.  Neither Mr. H. nor I like clutter and are pretty realistic about getting rid of things that have outlived their usefulness in the Hester household.  If it is broken, torn up, doesn’t work or doesn’t work properly then it’s gone!  If it hasn’t been used in 2 yrs then it’s gone!  But this shirt I just can’t get rid of – you see, it is the first thing that Mr. H. ever bought me.  He probably doesn’t even remember it but I do and when I look at it, the feelings that I felt when he gave it to me come flooding back.  My first marriage was a huge disappointment and ended with a 2 yr custody battle and me $70,000 in the hole.  The things that my ex bought me came with a terrible price tag, one that after 10 yrs of marriage, I refused to pay anymore.  The black eye bought me a purse, the cracked ribs a blue fox fur coat, the 12 stitches to my ear a new car – you get the point.  When I met Mr. H I was a broken and guarded woman, he had to literally coax me out of my shell and to this day still has to call it to my attention when the walls go slamming shut.  When he gave me the shirt I was suspicious and asked “What is this for?”.  His answer was simple “I thought it would look good with your eyes.”  That was it, no ulterior motive, no hidden agenda he just thought it would look good with my eyes.  Throughout the years he has bought me all kinds of wonderful gifts, never forgetting a holiday, anniversary or birthday and none of them have come with strings attached.  He buys me stuff simply because he is thinking about me and sees something he thinks I would like.  We have been together almost 12 years and he has called me every single day.  I don’t see that I will ever get rid of this shirt.

What item is hanging around your house that you just can’t give up?????