Green Pants

When I was a senior in high school I owned a pair of bright green shorts. Seahawk amped up green. I thought they were cheerful and life giving. I didn't know it at the time but my then boyfriend (now husband) hated the green shorts.  I've learned a lot about this man over the years but at the time I wasn't fully aware.  He hated these shorts with a passion but didn't have the words to tell me. So he hid them between my mattress and boxspring and there they lived until I moved out of the house several years later.  Sneaky. 

Every week or so my kids and I go to the library and haul home a new batch of picture books. This week we found a gem. Green Pants by Kenneth Kraegel. Funny.  I love the little hero of the story. Jameson loves green pants. When he wears green pants he feels invincible. He won't wear any other color. And then his cousin gets engaged to a gorgeous woman who asks Jameson to be their ring bearer in the upcoming wedding.  When an honor! Anything for this beautiful creature!  Only problem is Jameson will have to wear a tuxedo with......black pants. This hilarious book so reminds me of my own soul. My mama said when Jameson wore his green pants under the tuxedo and breaks them out for the dance after the wedding it was just like me. Compliant and defiant all at the same time. 

We spent the weekend going to our daughter's jazz band concert which doubled as the end of year swing dance. My husband said it was the best band concert so far because we didn't have to stay seated the whole time. I so loved watching the kids play and dance. The rest of the weekend we made the tours of the graduation parties. Apparently the best way to congratulate people for completing their education is  by eating platefuls of delicious BBQ, guacamole and repeated pieces of Costco cake. 

I have lots of advice for people headed into the world.  Avoid debt. Invest in people. Find a faith community. Stay in contact with your oldest friends. Call your grandma. But something I firmly believe but haven't ever shared. 

Find your green pants.  You know. The thing that makes you grin and dance.  

I ordered myself a new pair of green pants.  Hope my hubby likes them.