When I put those clothes away, I had hopes that they wouldn't be tucked away too long. It took 18 months after Rosie was born before I went back under the knife while trying to conceive our second. After Rosie turned two, our thoughts shifted more seriously to foster care. Since then we have so blessed to expand our family. Meanwhile that box of maternity clothes, and nursing clothes, sat in the attic.
Last spring, a pregnant friend was in search of summer maternity clothes to survive an unseasonably warm final stretch of her pregnancy. I pulled that box out of the attic and loaned it with love. I was happy it was in use again. At her post-baby baby shower, there was another pregnant friend. I asked if she needed the clothes. I put the box in the back of her truck and off it went.
I loaned the clothes with the hope that one day I would need them again. I never thought I would never have the opportunity to see them again.
I have been trying to reacquire them for a few months. I found out today what happened. Due to a very sad and unfortunate misunderstanding, those clothes were donated to charity. The clothes that helped me gestate Rosie will never be in my closet again.
I am sure there were a few hundred dollars worth of clothes in the bin. They money is not the hard part. The memories, of that shirt I wore when I felt her kick, the outfit I wore to my baby shower, the dress I wore to two weddings. Should I be so sad? I mean...I have Rosie. Obviously she was the best part of my pregnancy.
I am sad for the memories that are lost. But those memories may never have made it back out of the box. It is hard looking back on such an incredible time, the miracle of that pregnancy the gift of nursing...and consider that experience may never happen again.
As I was crying, Rosie came over and brought me a tissue and gave me a hug. She is truly the greatest gift and miracle. I am so grateful that I got to experience being pregnant, and I am so grateful for her...the most incredible little girl.
And if that blessed event should ever happen again...well, I will cross that bridge when it comes. I know my friend feels terrible and would love for that event to happen, to help start a new maternity wardrobe. But, for now...so long old clothes. I hope you find your way to some special women who truly truly appreciate the miracle of the little soul growing within.
3 comments:
so sad. although not the same, I will probably keep the outfit that I wore when we first met Isabella and Isaiah, even long after they go out of style. the memory is so special.
I am sorry you lost those special clothes.
Oh E...I can well imagine feeling the same way. I'm sorry these special articles of clothing that carried so much meaning are lost to you. I had a similar experience with some baby clothes that I loaned out. In the end, it was a good lesson in detachment--not just from material things but from my the desires of my heart. It calls to mind that verse from Isaiah 55:8, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD."
Thank goodness you have the pictures of you wearing them--you made a glorious pregnant momma!
I'm sorry about your clothes. :( I'm very attached to mine as well, and that's even with getting to use them 3 times! I did give/loan almost all of them to a friend... I had to just give her the whole box without sorting through too much, because I would have been an emotional mess!
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