I Found An Old Jersey Today

I found an old jersey today.

It was buried in the back of the closet, pushed all the way over to the left, blocked by its current counterparts.

Wrinkled, battle frayed from years of abuse, and even a little dusty, the jersey hung limp on the hanger, desperately waiting for it to be removed from the hanger.

It used to be my second skin. Omnipresent on game day, and many other times throughout the year, the uniform had become a favorite article of clothing. But it was much more than clothing. It was a way of life.

Over the years, the jersey took almost as much abuse as the wearer. Second guessed by many, age took its toll on the fabric of the jersey. I was always forced to answer the question of “Why?” when asked about the choice. I always defended my selection, because it was the right thing to do.

I never outgrew the jersey, but eventually, the jersey out grew me. Time had taken its toll on the jersey, and it was time to hang it up, let it take its place in the upper tier of the closet, surrounded by some familiar names. Always present, never forgotten

Even when the jersey began to not “fit” anymore, I never forgot. I tried to, but the memories attached to that jersey are imprinted on my mind forever.

As time passed, other names began to bear the back of the jersey I would wear. Others had become my favorite, while more and more began to occupy the closet. And the old jersey got pushed further and further to the side.

Feeling the mood to clean a little bit today, I opened the closet door and began to shift the hangers around. Reaching all the way to the back, there it was, hanging exactly the way I left it a few years ago, waiting to see the light of day.

I always knew it was there. I just wasn’t sure if it would fit.

As the light hit the familiar material, I thought back about the day I first received it, every second of joy I had while wearing it, all the way to the last time I put my arms through it. It all came back, and a smile came across my face.

I held it up, examining the detail in the stitching, debating whether to try it on. Would it still fit?

After a few seconds, the decision had been made. Back on the hanger it went, back to the top tier of the closet.

Its not time. Not yet, anyways. Today is not the day. The fitting just isn’t right.

I found an old jersey today. It moved a little bit closer to the front of the closet. While it may not fit today, with time, it might just fit again someday.