Aprons Are Holy!
Poetry Friday
A friend recently posted a picture of her wearing her dad’s apron. Having the apron wrapped around her was a sweet memory of the good times she had with him. When I saw that picture it made me think of my grandmother. I remember standing on a kitchen chair by the sink “helping” her with dishes. She would roll up the waist of the apron so it didn’t drag and then tightly tie it around my waist. It made me feel so loved. I can still feel her arms wrapped around me as she tied the strings. I don’t have a picture of that but I do have a picture of my mom and son making cookies and wearing those same aprons that I kept from my grandmothers things. I also have a picture of me and my son in those same aprons! I keep those pictures on display together so I can remember those sweet moments.
My son, an accomplished young man now, just recently visited. I reflected during his visit about how our relationship has been a series of changes as he has developed his own life. It also brought to mind the saying about apron strings. You know, how parents can loosen the apron strings or hold them too tight. We typically use the saying to refer to letting our children have more independence. Let me just say - it’s a process and apparently I tend to be a slow learner in this area! You want your kids to be independent and yet still be in your life. And, there is nothing like the fear you feel when they call after a long hiatus and begin with “I’m fine but….” I have found fear to be a big motivator for holding too tight. I wonder if I can tie those apron strings around myself to bind up MY fears and turn them over to being held by a greater power.
If I feel this way about aprons - could aprons be holy? Could they help us form a greater connection with the One Spirit greater than all? Can we use that metaphor to ask what fear(s) we hold that keeps us tied too tight to things we don’t need? How do we let fear play in how we hold our thoughts and feelings? Could it help us explore if we are too loose with our prayer life and need to “tighten up” our personal practices? Or, if we are too rigid or tangled in a knot? Or is it just time to let go of something that doesn’t quite fit or work to provide more life giving energy in our current life situation?
Aprons are worn in many situations, baking, crafting, painting, serving food, and more. I DO think spirituality is like an apron in that it readies us for the messes of life. Spirituality gets us through the messes and also through the most tender and sacred moments. I believe that aprons prepare us for holy work, especially when worn to serve others. They provide protection, wipe tears, witness joy, get squeezed in-between hugs, and yes, they even hold memories.
I invite you to put your apron on and tie the strings around yourself. Sit with the One who is the holder of all memories. Who knows maybe God has a favorite apron that is just right for snuggling up to?
And, just for the record, aprons are holy!
Do you have a favorite apron story? Feel free to share!
Blessings,
Jace
A Poem to get Rid of Fear by Joy Harjo. I’m going to keep this in my back pocket….
APRONS HAVE LONG MEMORIES For heaven’s sake never throw away an apron because aprons are the holders of memories! And if you have an apron with a pocket, better yet! Those pockets catch and keep the most precious memories of all! What we see as pocket fuzz are really thousands upon thousands of tiny memories all rolled up together soft and happily living at the bottom and in the corners of an apron pocket. From StoneGable, April 6, 2017 by Yvonne Pratt
I admit that I put this in here for me. Bocelli is one of my favorite tenors and he is now singing with his son. As a parent, you can let go but they are always with you in your heart… always. Thank God for that.