Dear Red Track Shorts with the White Stripe,
I saw my niece and nephew today wearing shorts and they were so happy to have their knees free! I thought of you – you made me feel that happy. I remember summer mornings when I would wake up and feel the hazy heat of the day already gathering. I would swing my legs over the side of the bed, pull you off the floor and onto my hips and be ready to go. My day had started. I was ready to run, to sit in the dirt, to play, to chase down a friend – whatever was needed. The simplicity of it, of you! The confidence I felt! Seven years old and I had no doubts about my rightness in the world or my right to wear whatever I goddamn pleased for every day of my life.
I also remember once I sat in silly putty when I was wearing you. Sorry about that. I panicked a little because the baby sitter didn’t seem to know how to get the putty out of the fabric. Also I was mainly worried about my mom getting mad rather than your welfare, Shorts. Sorry about that too.
I hope that you are helping somebody run and play and explore in that big summer vacation in the sky.
Miss you,
-e.