Tale of 2 Shirts

Nancy To The Rescue !

Everyone has had that certain piece of clothing that is Special. It's just the right weight, color and size and the more you wear it the better it feels. It's the one you go for on those special days, and the one piece of clothing you plan your wardrobe schedule around. The one you can't stand to have out of service in the wash and puts your life back in order when it's back in the lineup. Once upon a time my wife Cathy bought me such a shirt from L.L. Bean. I've lost track of when, but for perhaps 10 years, that shirt (at left above) has been my year round buddy. Last year ended with the realization that even after several desperate attempts to force a few last elbow-torn wears my faithful buddy could no longer be called to service.

So began the search for a replacement. The shirt had long disappeared from the L.L. Bean catalog, and though Cathy had bought me a couple of similar shirts they were a bit heavier and not quite the same. I searched a lot of other stores, but came up empty. It began to look like the end of the road.

Then it was Christmas. There was a present from my sister in law Nancy that appeared to be a much needed shirt, but I had no idea the surprise that lay in store. When I opened the present - there to my amazement was a shirt the exact SAME color and material as he shirt I had just retired !

And so the story ends with a new beginning - new shirt is perfect, being the same color and weight, but just different enough to be identified now as 'Nancy's shirt' and I expect to get just as many comfortable years of enjoyment from this shirt. Thank you Nancy for making it a special Christmas 2007 and for filling a gaping hole, not only in my wardrobe but my life - somehow you seem to do that often !