Junah's single favorite article of clothing is a shirt I bought her at Target when she was one. It is a size 2T so it was just a bit big on her then.
November 2008
She wore it occassionally between then and last fall, usually because I picked it out for her to wear. And it held up pretty well for those two years.
April 2010
And then suddenly, around Halloween, the green shirt became one of her favorite items of clothing.
December 2010
January 2011
March 2011
I manage to wash it a couple of times a week, but it is worn nearly everyday. And it is starting to show…
There are at least three holes in it and the front is pretty badly stained. But none of that bothers Junah. And I'm glad we are the type of parents who will let their child wear a dirty-looking, ragged shirt whereever and whenever she wants to. The first day of dance class? Yup. Nice dinner with Nanny? Yup. The park, the zoo, a walk, preschool, bed? Yup. Friends birthday party at the children's museum? Umm…
Yup, I faltered. Last weekend I was taking Junah to a friend's birthday party at the children's museum, and while I've know the mom of her friend since kindergarten, I knew there would be other people there whom I wouldn't know. And I just weenied out.
You know, I think it is important that I let Junah wear this shirt day in and day out for as long as she wants to. She loves it and it makes her feel good. I want her to know who she is and I think the key to that is feeling comfortable inside and out.
So, when I turned weenie and suggested she not wear her shirt to the party? Her response was exactly what it should have been. "No, Mom, everybody has to wear their color. And I'm Green Junah."
I helped her put her green shirt on.
Since I began blogging in 2006 I've always had a hard time finding the right balance between family, blogging and all the other demands of life. That's why I'm loving Rachel Meek's ebook
I love how over time, in the photos, you can see how her favourite green top has crept further and further up her arms. My girls have gone through stages of loving certain pieces of clothing until they have fallen apart at the seams and appeared a different colour to what they were originally. The last photo is gorgeous by the way. Jacinta
So, once again, you made me cry. Such a beautiful post. You are raising such a strong young woman…this story reminds me of another one I heard about a little girl telling her mom, "I Barbara" when her well meaning mother compared her to someone else. Go Green Junah!!
Oh, thank you, Jess! I though of that same thing incident too. My sweet Green Junah just amazes me and teaches me everyday. Thank you for being a stellar example of motherhood for me!