The Saturday Journal: Hoodies and Moments that Matter

I love a good--soft--bulky hoodie. In fact if I could, I would wear a hoodie every single day. I may even tell my kids to bury me in a hoodie. I don't believe the Good Lord will care one way or the other.

There are many reasons why I prefer a hoodie over a crew neck sweatshirt--one being comfort and another reason--the front pocket. You can carry tools, your phone, keys, candy, snacks, and it saves from carrying a purse in the store--that is if a person is just running in for a few quick items. And like my oldest granddaughter says--who likes to wear hoodies too--"if it starts to rain you can pull the hood over your head."

This week I haven't worn as many hoodies as normal--the days of early spring--hot summer temperatures came rolling in--typical of March--then rain, sleet, and in the mountains--snow. Again, March--the teaser month.

I sit here on this early morning at my kitchen table trying to share a few words with you--wearing a red hoodie--the fibers clinging hard to paint stains and faded colors. Today the weather is supposed to be warmer than the last few days--more spring like temperatures--and my yard already needs mowing.

Did you know there are certain days of the month "indicated by the Old Farmer's Almanac" based on the moon's signs--which are supposedly the "best days" to do things like mow your yard. In March the best days to "mow to slow growth"--the 7th and 8th--and "mow to promote growth"--the 25th and 26th.

And there are other items on this long "best days" list--best days to wash windows--lay shingles--perm hair--start projects--paint--begin diet to lose weight--begin diet to gain weight--wash floors and the list goes on and on....

I didn't see on the list dates on the calendar to have the most "best days" in general or "bad days"--but the more I age, the more I believe most days--come with a little of both.

Like this past Thursday--a good day--a quiet day. UNTIL...I learned of a decision made by someone who I had helped in the past and to be perfectly honest--the rejection--it hurt. It was disappointing to say the least--at the time....

There's a well-known author who lives in North Carolina and she tells the story of a rejection letter she once received back when she first started writing. She had written an article for a magazine and submitted it for consideration of publication. She received her article back with these words written on the top of the page--"THIS IS USELESS!"

Then something happened--she didn't quit. A good moment--a better moment came. And she laughs about "the useless" derogatory comment now. One of her novels is now a popular Major Motion film--and her name--on the New York Times bestsellers' list for several books she has written.

Less than ten minutes after I had learned of "my hurtful no", I pulled into one of my favorite convenience stores to fill up my gas tank. Now, in lots of ways I am a creature of habit--same store if possible--same gas pump--but on this day the pump I normally use--looked like--on the ground--an oil or gas spill. So I drove to the next empty nearby pump.

And within minutes of stepping out of my car--making my selection of "gas quality grade"--this lady at the next pump facing me--her bald head covered in a scarf--she looked at me and said, "Are you a breast cancer survivor?"

"Yes, ma'am, I am."

"I saw your pink hoodie--I like it and the message," she went on to say.

I told her about this one particular hoodie and how it reads, Team Kinder on the back. "I wear it for her and in support of all the ladies who have had or battling with the disease now."

She went on to tell me of her own extremely difficult cancer story. A year of finishing up chemo treatments and in the near future she will have surgery. "It's hard--cancer's hard--mentally and physically," she said. And then she told of one of her friends' breast cancer story and her treatments. Her friend's story reminded me of mine.

I shared with her a little more about my treatments. And then I asked her if she lived nearby and she said yes and I asked, what's your name?

"My name is...."

And I replied, 'I'll be praying for you."

And she smiled one of the bravest--most sincere smiles I have seen in a long while--her face--a pale white--her eyelids void of eyelashes--her face void of eyebrows.

I got back in my car--breathed a deep breath and caught the tears with my fingers as they trickled down my face. And I whispered thank you, God. Thank you for showing me--these are the moments that really matter.

And what I haven't told you about this day--is how it started...

That very morning I stood at my closet--pulled out my new light blue Josh's Farmer's Market hoodie to wear that day and then touched the sleeve of my pink hoodie hanging nearby.

I changed my mind.

No, I'll wear the new one tomorrow--today, I'll wear my pink hoodie--

The hoodie that reads, "Nobody Fights Alone".

The Lord shall fight for you.

Exodus 14:14

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I am grateful for each of you--more than you will ever know and I pray,

the stories shared in this space will encourage and bless you in some small way.

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All photos @copyright Tathel Miller, unless otherwise credited to another photographer.

Soli Deo Gloria

Tathel