Hi Peeps!
Can you believe it is the first Wednesday of the school year? Oh my. Weeks have flown by and most of our TSJ peeps are either parents or educators or both. And the mixed emotions that come with the month of September are numerous.
So today I have been thinking about the various hats we wear in life. Of course you know I am speaking metaphorically. But Tom … the man behind the scenes of TSJ headquarters– is a man who loves hats.
And SJ loves Tom’s hats. He is happy I am talking about that today because it is kind of fun and maybe not quite so wise and serious for a change. (He does not recognize that life lessons are sometimes playful).
Anyhow, I agree Tom looks quite distinguished when he is all dressed up wearing his “fedora.” His dress hat is everyone’s favorite and SJ always wants to wear it.
But Sunday afternoon we had been visiting our daughter’s home for dinner.and Tom had worn his casual white summer cap. When he left, he left it behind.
No worries! The next day the phone rang and it was Quinn, our nine year old grandson. He found grandpa’s hat. He called to assure Grandpa that he “would keep it safe for him.”
Of course this made my grandma heart go “awww.”
And then I thought about “the hats” we all wear. Would that they all would get the same care Quinn will give Grandpa’s hat!
When Tom retired in July, he cleaned out his office and brought home one of his treasures. I had forgotten about this treasure. It is a paper weight in the shape of a hat that my sister had bought for him years ago and he had kept it on his desk. I took a picture of it for you (above).
Truthfully, as Tom struggles with his health, I am observing various things from new perspectives. And it seems I do what most people do when faced with life and death issues–I notice some things really do matter more than others in this life journey. I am learning about what really matter in the long run. Things that matter for lifetimes. Legacy type things.
We all have those moments of clarity about things that really matter, but the pressures of of life make it tough to remember sometimes.
My sister’s gift was given because she knew Tom and his hats. it was priceless to him for that reason.
Knowing and loving each other well matters… really matters. Even for generations.
Back to hats … Tom wears many hats, but of course he has a few favorites.
Tom’s hats do serve various purposes. They offer some protection from the elements. They distinguish him. They are sometimes playful. They make it easy for me to spot him in stores. They really seem to make Tom — well, they make him Tom! Our metaphorical hats distinguish us in many ways and serve many purposes too.
What “hat” are you wearing right now?
Lately I often wear a loving caregiver hat. In fact, we are heading out now to see the radiologist. They will assess if he qualifies for palliative radiation of some of the tumors causing him pain and discomfort.
But I also wear a mom hat, a grandparent hat, a coaches hat, a shepherding hat. These are my frequent flyer hats!
Again, what hat are you wearing at this moment? Its purpose?
One of my most delightful memories happened at a party when someone had a Sombrero. Tom playfully grabbed that hat and used it to do the Mexican Hat Dance all alone out on the dance floor with everyone clapping and cheering. Now that was a great fun and very much a Tom~hat moment. He was “in the zone.”
And (metaphorically speaking )~ you can switch hats like that!
You can switch and break out into laughter and dancing like Tom that evening long ago. SJ (Solomon Junior) loves that story. He even let me put the paperweight on his head for a minute.
Switching hats all day is what teachers and parents do. Now you are teacher, now you are doctor, now you are comforter, now you are dream catcher. Now you are cheerleader, a peace ambassador, a guru, a leader and on and on.
SJ was especially excited when Quinn called. He was glad Quinn would keep Tom’s hat safe until we can get it. SJ thinks that means Quinn loves Tom like he does! SJ is weary of so much serious concerns about “Mr. Tom.” We share in that but we also delight in keeping life filled with switching hats to love the richness of life. SJ our inner source of wonder helps us do that. Solomon keeps us honest and steady. They wear different hats at TSJ.
What are your favorite hats? What hat makes you feel good about being you and being alive in this world we navigate (or the pastures we live and work in).
It might be fun to switch into that hat for a few moments. Like the hat dance Tom did.
Playing with the idea myself.
Margie
