I was going through my clothing, and I pulled out what remains my all time favorite sweatshirt. It’s falling apart. Most of the neck is ripped out. It’s stained. There are holes around it. The elastic at the wrists has long failed. And I absolutely refuse to get rid of it.

I got this sweatshirt when I was a freshman in college. In a weird way, this beat up sweatshirt represents independence, adventure, new beginnings and an absolute belief in the positive possibilities awaiting me. I think it means no less now than it did then.

Oh, I could say that I keep it because I need an old sweatshirt to paint or clean in. I could claim that it is the perfect sweatshirt for lounging on rainy afternoons (which we rarely have, but it is comfortable). But really, I keep it for the person I was when I bought it. I like to channel her now and again: an 18-year old me, full of hope.

How about you? Do you have anything in your closet that you’d never get rid of (even if it doesn’t fit anymore, or is so out of date you can’t wear it) simply because of the memories or sentiments attached to it?