I have a t-shirt which I love to wear every so often. To anyone else but me, I doubt they would recognize it as anything more than faded thread-worn pieces of cotton masquerading as a t-shirt. To me it is far more a gift from my daughters almost three decades ago on Father’s Day. It carries and reflects the stories the three of us have shared over the years. Although it has been washed within an inch of not holding together, I wear it and remember. In the reflection, I find myself smiling each time I put it on.
In an age where I have more than 15,000 pictures on my phone and access to my Amazon history for the past 30 years any time of the day or night, it almost seems like a waste of time to remember. All we need to do is follow a digital path to anything we need to know. Yet, this t-shirt reminds me that my memories and the act of remembering informs my heart in a way nothing else can. The lessons which I follow from this include the following.
Reflecting on the past at the beginning and end of each day helps me frame the priorities I hold closest to my heart. In many ways, I am following the example described in the psalms, “I remembered the old days, went over all you’ve done, pondered the ways you’ve worked.” (Psalm 143.5). In doing this, I see my recent history is seen in light of the larger history of my life. It also reaffirms where I fit in the greater story that we are a part of.
Reflecting helps me etch moments of beauty and wonder on my heart and in my mind. In an age where time continues to speed up and I find myself overwhelmed with noise, data, and images, taking time to reflect, and put Divine moments to memory, helps me appreciate life as it is.
It is fun explaining what the t-shirt symbolizes. For me, in the tattered threads I find beauty and inspiration.
