Posted by Becky @ 6:10 am Three button hand me down
February 8, 2010 | Family, Friends
I just packed up and sent a box of clothes to my friend Karen in Florida. She gave me several boxes of boy clothes more than seven years ago. They were worn by her son, who is — dang — almost 15. I “met” him before he was born. Karen hired me just in time to cover for her maternity leave.
Here we are. Way back when.
She now has a younger son who can wear many of the clothes I’m sending back.
Some people don’t want to use hand-me-downs. I think it’s a wonderful connection with others. I’m always looking for connections. That’s why I was crazy enough to move to Iowa, to try and make connections with my relatives who live here.
Besides, getting hand-me-downs for my new baby felt like a big old Welcome to the Parenthood Club, which I was thrilled to finally join. I had filled out the membership application years before and it finally went through.
The clothes went from baby size all the way up to 7 years old. I remember thinking, wow, that’s so big. And now, my son has outgrown them. How did that happen so fast? Here he is in one of the last shirts he could wear.
I put red dots on the tags of all the clothes from Karen. I put a blue dot on the tags of clothes I got from my sister-in-law in Norway. Every time I saw those dots, I thought of Karen, my sister-in-law and their families. My son also got to borrow my nephew’s bunad. It’s since been returned, and my younger nephew is wearing it.
The girls also got some sweaters from my niece when she was visiting last year.
I love the connections. I enjoy remembering how small these other children were and seeing how big my children are getting. I enjoy being reminded of my special relationships with all of them. I enjoy marking milestones in connection with others.
Posted by Becky @ 6:10 am 
February 8th, 2010 at 11:18 am
Oooh, I’m the same way - I’ve made some good friends and strengthened some existing friendships by sharing clothes, and my kids still think it’s fun to find out what other kids like to wear. I was really sad when the twins we passed things to for the last several years outstripped mine this year :-( Fun that you can return the clothes for Karen’s second act!
February 9th, 2010 at 10:04 am
OMG, look how skinny I was! LOL! When we got the box in the mail and I told William it was a box of cool clothes for him, he was so excited he could barely contain himself! And for two days, he wore the “cowboy outfit” — the black shirt with the bib in front and black pants. We also had a great time looking at the stuff his “Bubba” used to wear. Thanks for sending them back!
February 9th, 2010 at 10:31 am
Cyndi, we have some twin girls a couple of years younger than my girls … perfect for handing down clothes. I miss belonging to my twins group in Tampa, but knowing a few families around here with twins kinda helps. :)
February 9th, 2010 at 10:33 am
Karen, it’s so cool that William’s having fun. Thanks for letting me borry them! Time flies, doesn’t it?