Ode to Team Shirt #4

I've known that this post was going to be written for a long time. About four years ago I noticed that my "Team Shirt" was getting worn thin. It was probably about that time I decided that I better not wear it in public anymore - so it became one of my faithful pajama shirts. And then about two years ago, when holes started to form, I knew that I would have to pay homage to this shirt when I laid it to rest. And now, after two gaping holes in this shirt and one on the way (not to mention a black paint stain), I think it's time to retire my #4. [Sigh.]

J is going to be so pleased when he hears what I've decided. He's pleaded with me to get rid of this shirt for years. But I have so many great memories with this shirt, that it's been hard to let go. And then in December I read, The Story of Stuff: How Our Obsession with Stuff is Trashing the Planet, Our Communities, and our Health - and a Vision for Change. The author, Annie Leonard, discusses how people need to be more prudent and economical with the clothing and objects that they own, instead of simply buying new stuff all of the time. That book gave me the impetus to keep my holey shirt for several more months. I would think to myself, "I'm saving the planet!" whenever I put this shirt on. But really, I just wanted a reason to prolong the inevitable. I can't wear this shirt anymore. Maybe I can turn it into a rag (if J will let me), so I'll still feel like I'm saving the planet.

When I was a sophomore in college, my roommates bought matching "Special Olympics" shirts for all of us at a thrift store. We used to wear the Team Shirts while we studied at the library or walked around campus together. (Fer cute!) This shirt also went with me throughout Europe and to the tops of many mountain peaks. And we've been sleeping together for years. It's just hard to move on, with so many memories. And so, before I finally say goodbye to Team Shirt #4, I'll share some highlights of our relationship:

In Fall 2001, soon after my roommates bought the Team Shirts for us. We're standing around the old fire hydrant that we brought into our Miller apartment (photo removed).

I wore this shirt throughout the summer of 2002, when I was a camp counselor.

Fall of 2002, with my roommates at the Brick Haus. Phin didn't have a Team Shirt, but we quickly transformed her Dodgers shirt into a Team Shirt (photo removed).

In summer of 2003, my shirt and I went on a study abroad in Europe together. Here we at the acropolis in Athens!

Here we are in early fall of 2003. Llama Fest!

Now there is a gap of a few years in the chronology of pictures. I ended up leaving my Team Shirt at home while I was in Brazil on a mission, so as to preserve my shirt. (I ended up taking another blue shirt to Brazil instead, which enigmatically said, "Support the Group that Supports You." That shirt got totally hashed while I was in Brazil, so I'm glad I left #4 at home.) After wearing the Team Shirt for a while after my mission and marriage, I realized that the shirt was too worn for public wear. But then I consistently wore it as pajamas!

Hike to Willow Lake with Joanna (and the extended L family) on Memorial Day of 2007

This is early in the morning on Sam's second birthday (2010), right after we woke up in our cruise ship cabin. I'm glad that my shirt got go on a cruise to Alaska, even if it had to stay in the cabin!

I know that some of my roommates' Team Shirts traveled around the world as well. Ixoj wore her shirt when she taught English in Guatamala:

Every Team Shirt has a story. And I'm glad for the story that I created with mine.