I wrote this piece last year when I had all of three followers and I immediately thought of it when I read this week's Red Writing Hood's writing prompt: Write a piece about finding a forgotten item of clothing in the back of a drawer or closet. Let us know how the item was found, what it is, and why it's so meaningful to you or your character.With some editing, here is Hope, Dreams & Wishes:
Long before I ever thought I'd have children and certainly long before I had Lucas, I bought this little sweater. 
I found it at Old Navy, of all places. It was originally $16.50 and had been marked down to $3.99. The tag is still on it.
From the moment I saw it, I thought it was precious.
Navy blue is my favorite color and I loved the adorable red heart with the arrow going through it and something came over me and I just had to have it. I remember thinking at the time while standing in the check out line, I'm nowhere near ready to have children, why on earth am I buying this?!? I don't even have a boyfriend.
It took me a while to realize that this tiny little sweater represented something stupendous and wonderful. Something bigger than myself. Something that was yet to be. It represented where my life was going to be someday. Where my life, if I was lucky enough, was heading...
True love, romance, marriage, children, cuddles, giggles, and a lifetime of memorable firsts and happy moments.
A childhood, not unlike my own.
The sweater stayed safely wrapped in tissue paper in the bottom of my pajama drawer for years, but each February when Valentine's Day rolls around, I remember the sweater.
Just last week, ironically the week before Valentine's Day, I was organizing Lucas' closet and I came across this tiny sweater. I was about to add it to the donation pile until I realized what it was.
Maybe someday we'll have a little sister for Lucas, as the sweater is far too feminine for him to wear and at size 3-6 months, far too small for him anyway.
I gingerly put the sweater back on the hanger, returned it to the closet and there it will stay as a peaceful reminder that so many of my hopes, dreams and wishes have already come true.
Click here to read the original piece posted February 12, 2010: Hopes, Dreams & Wishes
