Reflections on a gift of a red coat

Here are my brother and I about to embark on an after Christmas shopping spree.  I am wearing my old plaid coat Sanford brought home from the free pile at work.  I have enjoyed this coat for a couple of years but recently my cat decided it was delicious.  He started chewing on it.  Some of the corners were chewed off.  It will now become my "work" coat, the one I wear when I'm not really wanting to chance getting my new one dirty.

My new coat is a gift from my daughter and son-in-law.  It's not just a coat.  It is a reminder that life is beautiful, that I am loved, that miracles happen, that some dreams come true.  My daughter has heard me say many times how I have always wanted a red coat, from the time I could first decide what kind of coat I might like.  Yes, since I was a little girl, I have always wanted a red coat. 

I bought myself one once.  I beautiful red coat with black velvet trim, but, thinking myself clever, I brought it to the cleaners one spring day thinking I would have it cleaned and ready by the time Fall came.  I never thought about it again until the weather turned cold in October.  After searching every possible nook and cranny I remembered the cleaners. When I went in to claim it, the attendant casually explained how they send unclaimed garments to Goodwill after 6 months.  I am still angry that no one called me before sending my beautiful red coat off to the second hand store, but I am hoping the person who bought it feels blessed for finding such a garment as that at a Goodwill store.

I know I feel extremely blessed to have a loving daughter and son-in-law who found the perfect gift to give me this year, a red coat.  To the person who found my old red coat in Goodwill, I hope you know that life is good, you are loved, miracles happen, and some dreams come true.  To Matthew and Lynnea, thank you for your gift this Christmas I will cherish it always, however, I don't know if I will ever get it cleaned.