Honor

I love to dress up! I don’t do it much as I often have my hands in the dirt or sawdust from head to toe. Sticky fingers constantly touching me pleading for me to hold them and VERY FEW nights out because well I’m tired! Maintaining a reasonable bedtime to show up for my mornings, days, and evenings with the people I love most is what I choose over lost hours of sleep after the sun has retired.

But this weekend I get to dress up. T and I have an overnight planned for our marriage anniversary. No kiddos for 19 hours or so. Dinner, drinks, sleep, and a morning hike are on the agenda.

I already know what I want to wear to dinner. A dress I picked up a while back and have yet to have an occasion to wear it to. Basic black. Elaborate in its simplicity. A rich velvet texture with a flowing scoop neck line. The way it hugs the torso and hips in all the right places. A slit V detail in the front.

I start to add layers. Draping myself in items that embody the spirits and stories of my ancestors by way of accessories.

With each item I put on I can feel the strength of the collective lineage that came before me. Their grit and perseverance that paved the way to my now existence.

I look in the mirror at my reflection and stand with honor.

I carry their blood.

I hold their legacies.

What a lovely reminder.