The Bathrobe

Anyone who knows me well will tell you I am pretty thrifty when it comes to personal belongings.  I have always stowed away my decorative items for a while, only to pull them back out and use them again in a couple of years. I have always only kept one set of sheets for each bed, I wash them and put them back on.  I have cookware that I got as wedding gifts that I still use on a daily basis. I keep clothing and wear it until it is worn out.

This brings up my bathrobe. Just how worn out is worn out?  It is still a very plush blue velour, and is very snuggly (which is the most important requirement for a bathrobe). The only sign of wear is at the neck—from being hung on a hook in my closet. For over 35 years. Ok, ok, I realize this might strike you as a bit odd, to keep something for that long—but I have to reiterate—it is still good!  It has always been able to perform its bathrobe duties-- covered me when I was cold, dried me when I was wet—it worked.  Since the styles don’t really change, I had not really put much thought into a new one. I ordered it from J.C. Penny’s in Dalhart from the catalog counter because I could get a “tall”, and I knew the sleeves would be long enough. I can’t remember the exact date, but I think around 1976. It’s a wonder it wasn’t avocado green instead of blue. Or had peace sign  or “Keep On Truckin” patches sewn on it.

So I start thinking about what this bathrobe has been through. It wrapped me as a newlywed on a cold winter’s night. It tried to cover all of me during my two pregnancies, but my baby belly peeped out the front.  It was a welcome comfort home after a couple of surgeries.  It has been dripped on, drug through, and dipped in almost everything imaginable. It has ventured outside on a few occasions, but I can honestly say it never took a car ride (I never was that robe-wearing mom driving her kids to school). It’s had a million food items on it—syrup, bacon grease, mayo, mustard, and for some odd reason, I always ended up with pancake batter on the sleeves. And yes, I dipped the belt in the toilet water more than once.

So I decided it was time to retire the old girl. She has stood with me, and done everything I have asked. I have replaced her with a cheery pink one, but it doesn’t feel as soft. The hubby said, “Now, you ARE going to get rid of the old one, aren’t you?” and I honestly had to take a breath before I said yes.  I am not a keeper, I donate pretty much anything I am not using, but I think he knew I would have a difficult time letting go of this old girl. How long will the pink one last? Who knows, but my money is on the fact that it will not even touch how long the blue one lasted. And yes, my money is also on the fact that the belt will get baptized in the toilet water.