My Mother's Jacket

When my mother died a few years ago my sister and I spent time going through her things, keeping some, donating others. We organized her lovely home before selling it, boxed up her photographs, distributed some meaningful items to good friends and family. We did the kinds of things you do at an ending.

Going through her closet I came across her greenish jacket. It was an all-purpose sort of jacket with a hood and a zip-out lining. It was "water resistant" although not a true rain coat. I slipped it on and I liked it. So it went home with me.

Since then this jacket visited Ireland with me, traveled to Alaska, spent a Thanksgiving holiday in New Hampshire with family and friends, and traveled in our little RV on two western adventures. It's the one I use when I walk the dog, go to the grocery store, run errands, attend book club or quilt guild. It's been to France and Belgium, from Chicago to Santa Fe, Seattle to Nashville.

The zipper is broken, so I just use the snaps. It's washable, warm enough except on the coldest of days and I just like to wear it. Every time I put it on it's sort of like a "hug" from my mom. She's no longer with me…..but her jacket is….and it is well-traveled.