Jacket Holder

Not realizing what I was doing, I complied and took hold of her little jacket. Before I knew it, I was holding several of "her jackets" and some of "his jackets."

Beads of sweat had formed on their little foreheads. Running up to me they handed me jacket upon jacket. Soon enough I had two arms full of jackets. I was the check point. The base. The jacket holder.

The thought didn't enter my mind until I, too, wanted to strip my jacket off and find someone to hold it while I had fun in Korea's [much too short but] beautiful spring weather.

Suddenly I stood there stunned. It hit me like a ton of bricks. It's official. I am not the kid. I am the adult. I've hit the point of no return. There, with my feet planted, the wind blowing my hair, and arms full of light winter coats I began to realize the reality of where I was on this time-line of life.

It brought me joy-- to see them running around, playing with free spirits. I couldn't help but think of my freedom as a child.

Everything in me wanted to set the jackets down and play, too. Perhaps I should have. But who would hold my jacket? Why did I have to be an adult?

I saw my mother. My dad. My Granny. My grandma. Old teachers. Even the big oak tree with long, sinking branches. Seeping into my soul, a feeling of honor settled over me. I now had the privilege of being the jacket holder.

Jacket Holder. Oh the weight of such a job. Who else could be trusted with her little jacket. Surely not a stranger. Surely not the dirty ground. Not even a fellow friend who too would be running around. And no big oak trees around.

With a smile, I took that role.

Spring air has come and given us freedom to have bare feet and run without the weight of winter coats. And with that, there must be a trusted Jacket Holder.

Though, I most certainly intend to find an oak with long, sinking branches suited for securing my jacket-- along with those little ones whom will be with me... giving us the freedom to play.