Saturday, February 27, 2010

PLEASE RETURN

IF FOUND

1. Size 7 Blue & Black double layer coat, boys
2. Size 4 gray Dora jacket, girls
3. Size 6 dark green jacket, boys
4. size 7 lime green coat, girls
5. size 6 yellow soft zip hoodie, girls
6. size 9 Black winter coat, boys

The above list includes a few of the outerwear items lost by my children over the past year or so. Thank goodness that, besides the size 9 coat which was “lifted” at a community event, all have been found- and returned. (A shout out of thanks to scout leaders, friends, and neighbors involved in the “keep the Whitehead kids from freezing” effort)

My high school English teacher taught us that in order for a piece of literature to be considered “classic”, it must have stood the test of time. As seasons have passed and my children advanced in coat size, I have come to understand why one particular nursery rhyme has stood the test of time…

“The three little kittens have lost their mittens.”

I am obviously not the only one out there who can identify with Mother Kitten. Observe this comforting (or should I say disheartening) exhibit…



“Oh mother dear see here see here, our mittens we have lost…”

This phrase undoubtedly fills another requirement of classic lit. It speaks to a universal audience. Anyone who has sent a child to school with layers, or lunchboxes for that matter, has likely experienced something similar to the kittens’ apologetic refrain. I would wager that I could walk into any elementary school in the U. S. of A. and find a stack similar to the one pictured here. If your children are past 3rd grade and their belongings have never ended up in the coat mound, you could probably write a book on “Teaching Young Children Responsibility” that would give the Eyres a run for their money. And I would be the first to check it out.

I conclude with a request to my readers. I have moved to purchasing replacement outerwear at thrift stores so as to decrease the economic impact of the loss factor. If I had to pay 35 bucks every time we lost a coat, my kids really would have to go without their pie. My son is currently sporting a dark/ light blue retro style 7 dollar “Savers” special. I am hoping that it doesn’t get tossed somewhere and forgotten. But just in case I must request, PLEASE RETURN IF FOUND.

9 comments:

LINZ said...

Wow, did you have your editor glance over that prior to posting? Your posts are so...thoughtout and perfect! I was going to post tonite, but after reading that I don't think I can compete :)

LINZ said...

PS, I enjoyed the post, it was pretty dang funny.

Jewel said...

Thought out is not one word.

Lemon Family said...

Too funny. Yes, we can all relate. My children "forget" to bring their lunchboxes home at least once a month.

Sharie said...

When coming out to Utah during winter to visit one year, I was concerned about not having the proper winter gear for my children. So my mom 'borrowed' some of the items from the lost & found that had been there for weeks, washed them, and let my kids use them for the week we visited. Then she tossed them back into the lost & found.

Anonymous said...

I agree with Lindsay. You are a writer!! That was so funny. I loved it. Maybe we'll shop at DI for Christmas and birthdays...

Anonymous said...
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Neb said...

LOVE LOVE LOVE This. It gave me a good laugh! I know we have sent things back to you many times! I say sew it to their bodies BEFORE they leave the door!

Ryan and Hailee said...

wow that's a lot of missing coats and jackets, I'm so sorry, I hope you have found some of it!!!