THE SCARF

THE SCARF

I have never met a beautiful scarf that I didn’t fall in love with. I, however, would not refer to myself as a collector of the pieces of fabric but others in my house might. The list is very short of places that I have visited and didn’t purchase one. Knowing this fact about me, you might think that I am attached to them. I am not. I really like them - the pleasure they bring when used to accessorize and/or the warmth they provide in a cold restaurant, theater, plane or in cold weather. Things like scarves partner with me mostly to bring comfort and joy. You will almost never see me without one and should that happen, follow me to my car. It will be there.

It is very rare that I lose one as I did recently on a return flight from vacation. My dressing practice teethers for a moment when I do. When I reach to grab one of my many scarves, the memory of a very large off-white scarf pops up.

While strolling through the photos on my phone, I came upon a photo of a special person wearing the scarf at a wedding we both attended. Strangely, I did not feel the loss as I remembered that the scarf had served its purpose that evening, warmth, and accessorizing while being worn. Scarves that I own have served many – my husband’s head and shoulder in cold establishments when he forgot his hat or protecting a bald head like mine from scorching sun.

The memory of the scarf helps me to honor the association of beautiful objects to the association of beautiful interactions and experiences with others. When I look at the photos with scarves in them – in this case the off-white linen one, I am transported to the purchase experience of the beautiful thing, a cotton textile shop in Egypt, to the forementioned wedding, to my wearing it in the desert in Morocco and everything in between. I relive those experiences, smile and am grateful for the service that the scarf provided.

I would like to think that the purpose of things is to enrich life… to make life more palatable for myself, friends and family and neighbors.

The thing is the vehicle to transport me, the custodian of it, to meet a need, bring comfort or joy to myself or others. The thing itself is a miniscule portion of the equation.

So how have I used scarves? I have unknotted them from around my neck and given them to friends and strangers when admired. I freely loan them to friends if they need an accessory. I will periodically give them away. I most likely could have retrieved the one from the flight because I realized I had left it before leaving the terminal. Instead, I chose to continue walking to baggage claim and to let it make memories for whoever found it.

Romans 14:19

PONDER THIS THOUGHTS --- Let the memory of a precious lost thing remind you of the purpose of the lost thing.