Christmas morning, one of my kids gave me a box of things-to-keep-me-warm: gloves, scarf, and an ear-warmer headband. I lifted the soft, aqua scarf from the box and wrapped it around my neck to wear the rest of the day.
Later, at dinner, I looked down at my lap—a layer of glitter speckled my pants and sweater, as if my lap were a cookie decorated with a few shakes of colored sugar. I shimmered a little in the candlelight.
Must be from some of the wrapping paper, I thought, flipping the scarf around my neck again, as it had unwound itself, one end dangling down, the fringe scraping my forearm.
That night, I shook out the pants and sweater and tossed them into the laundry. I set the scarf on the floor of the closet and didn’t wear it again until the temperatures dropped a week or so later. That first cold day of the new year, I flung the scarf around my neck and noticed glitter sliding down the front of my leather coat.
The scarf! I thought the strands of yarn were themselves glitzy, but they were dropping flecks like dandruff all over my coat and clothes as if someone had simply rolled the scarf in a pile of glitter before shipping it to the store. Everywhere I went, whether I sat, paused, or leaned against something or someone, I left a trail of fairy dust.
I amused myself with visions of young girls, wide-eyed with imagination, concocting stories of the Tooth Fairy tapping a wand against the chairs in the library or in the waiting room of the dentist’s office, but the glitter had to go. I couldn’t live with it dropping into the computer keyboard, let’s say, or the chili.
So I decided to launder the scarf. That’ll wash away the loose glitter, I surmised.
The kids had just sorted their dirty laundry, forming a mountain of sweatshirts, sweaters, socks and jeans in the basket of darks. I tossed them into the machine along with the scarf, measured out the soap and pressed start.
A few hours later, I plucked a few items from the top of that load and tossed them in the dryer or hung them up to dry. The deeper I moved into the layers, however, the more the items seemed to gleam. By the time I reached the last few T-shirts and jeans that had been sitting against the washer tub, I realized they were coated with glitter. Absolutely coated.
I left the shiniest stuff in there and ran a rinse cycle, hoping that would loosen up the clingy bits, but when I pulled them out a second time, those clothes still sparkled. I hung up most of them on the closet rod, hoping the glitter would drop off as they dried, but I checked the next morning. Each fleck stubbornly held fast to the fabric.
My son’s T-shirt has a rock star vibe; my daughter’s corduroys shimmer.
For a while, it seems that we will look a little flashy, like junior high girls dressing for a Justin Bieber concert.
And yet, when we head to church on Sunday morning, I like to think that our very presence, reflecting the light as we stand to pray or praise, might remind the people sitting behind us to head back into the world and shine like stars.
:::
Credits: Photos by Ann Kroeker. All rights and glitter reserved.
Truly some of the best gifts are those that continue to give even after the box has been opened.
I love this post!
Helen, it means so much to me that you stopped by…and made me smile with that comment. Have a wonderful Sabbath!
ha ha…I like that, especially the rock star vibe T-shirt and the Bieber reference.
Your ending reminded me of my selfishness lately, even at church. Could you sprinkle a little glitter on my attitude? 😉
Perhaps tomorrow you can imagine it fluttering down from the lady in front of you, thinking of stars and light and life.
I like this, Ann…I like this alot.
John, that means a lot. Thank you.
I agree with John , Ann. This is wonderful.
Deb, thanks so much. Your words shine!
That’s awesome! I can see you now, like a shiny version of Pig Pen – leaving a trail behind you.
Great image–I can totally see the cloud puffing all around.
For anyone who needs a reminder, here’s a little profile with cartoon pick:
http://www.weirdspace.dk/CharlesSchulz/Pig-Pen.htm
WOW If you all came to church sparkling wouldn’t that be lovely?? Perhaps even start a new trend! 🙂
This caused me to think of the verse: Isaiah 60:1
Arise, SHINE; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.
and He makes His face to SHINE on thee!
Oh, I love that verse, Hazel! Thanks for the reminder to SHINE.
You shine! And you just shed sparkles all over me!
What a delight to hear from you, Sandra. You, too, bring light and laughter to all of us!
You know, I just LOVE sparkles! And this one – well, it sparkles a whole lot. Thanks so much for it, Ann. And wear those glittery bits proudly – can’t imagine anyone for whom such shine is more fitting.
Shine on.
That expression, or something close to it, seems to be popping up around my place. Thanks for this, Ann.
Love your gleam.
I have a daughter who LOVES anything that shines! I’ve finally given in to glitter nail polish and make-up and whatever.
Shine on Ann.
Again, your photo credit!
I love the idea of leaving a trail of glitter. Kinda makes me want to go buy something sparkly.
Ann. You did it again! And this made my heart smile
I’m writing now. Please pray for that because I want to do this more than anything. I hope your family is well, healthy and that your dad is well also.
Much love,
Sandy
I so appreciate that you made something both amusing and beautiful out of what could have been just another annoying, even frustrating, disruption in your life. I hope for eyes to see glory in gitter, too.