We all have hats that we wear. We change them for the duty at hand. Some, just for fun, filled with color and the vibrancy of life. We wish we could wear these hats, the whole day through. Easy. Smiles. Sunshine. Happiness. Light. Playful. Others, the weight of life itself. Heavy. Unwilling. Dark. And Difficult. May it be a fedora or a bonnet, each with their purpose.
“Just a minute, let me put my mom hat on”.
What hats have you donned on? How long did you wear each one for? Did you get to choose your hat, or was it forced upon you? When did you start wearing hats? How many hats have you worn?
Be it a ten-gallon hat, or that made out of straw – – each marking the route between point A and that of B. Each detailing who we are at that moment in time. The hats we wear, an impression to leave; sharing a faith or tradition, purpose or protection. In the end, a demonstration and a legacy of a life lived whole. Like a scrapbook, a photo snapped at just the right time, links one top hat to the next in line.
The hats we wear. Some small. Some not-so-much. The first of the hats, plain identification, the lens through which we peer – – that of a girl or a boy, a child or young man. The work we do. The fun we have. Felt or floppy, Brimmed or that of a baseball cap. The types, they range in size, style, and popularity. Each, not representing the beginning or the end, but the dash in between. Each displaying accomplishments, adventures, shedding light into who we are.
I’ve worn many lids, some proudly, such as faithful believer and mom. Some caps, unfurled with pain – sinner, bedazzler. But, that of a friend, remains.
Daughter. Mother. Son. Father. Uncle. Aunt. Sister. Brother. Student. Teacher. Friend. Foe. Babysitter. The roles we play in life, multiple. Each one and all come with expectations and vulnerability. A learning curve to be beat, success the ladder we climb. Coach. Volleyball player. Cheerleader. Entrepreneur. Track or gymnastics superstar. Horse whisperer. Pet owner. High school graduate and college too. A master’s graduation mortarboard marks us with even more.
Bilingual. Traveler. Blogger. Motivational speaker. Scouts and 4-H leader and participant. Photographer. Teacher. Runner. Even Zumba instructor. Dancer. Singer. Children’s worship and drama director. Trying to play the roles that define us, to prove to others who we are.
The hats continue to file past, till the one that fits is just ahead. It’s perfect. So nice. And fits just right. Responsibilities and tasks to perform. Helmets for protection. Construction worker. Camper. House builder. Farmer. Gardener and flower arranger to boot. Small group leader. Wedding coordinator. Skydiver. Rappeler. Ropes courses – both low and high, a director’s thinking cap and encourager, a must. Ice-skater. Snowman maker. Sledder in the wintry weather. More balmy, surely a swimmer and sand castle maker. Hot-air-balloon pilot. Volunteer. 5K-10K runner. DIY master and not ever the first to say no.
Country bumpkin. College professor. Costume maker. Concert ticket holder. Creative genius. City slicker. Fork Truck driver. Florist. Foreign exchange parent. Thrift, consignment, and garage sale guru. Tour guide. Cliff jumper. Nail-salon tech. Nature lover. Knitter and crochet. Animal trainer. Trumpet player. Traveler. Barn builder. Boater. Baker. Bride. Continent hopper. Rainbow seeker. Holiday lover. Decorator. Dog groomer. Fisherman. 4-wheelerer. Funeral planner. Homemaker. Hairdresser. Not-to-mention hammock enthusiast. Driver. Shitshow operator. Substitute. Plumber. Jokester. Jewelry Collector. Mechanic. Make-up artist. Inspiration chaser. Antique restorer. Convertible queen. Assembly line factory worker. Vet tech. Prayerful persona. Prom chaperone. Painter. Passport owner. Paralegal. Prisoner. Waitress. White water rafter. Reader. Room-mom. Roadtrip ruler. Researcher. Mayor. Divorcee. Cake decorator. Business owner. Quilter. Memory-maker. Author. Mentor. Model. Dreamer. Wedding dress seamstress. Pageant winner. Actress. Designer. Amazon shopper. Bridesmaid. Beautiful.
Gold-stars for each accomplishment and hat worn. And then there’s multi-tasking…the piling of hats so tall. It’s all a balancing act keeping them in line. Every one of them coming with a different set of rules of how we should act and respond to life’s circumstances, building on our character and the legacy we’ll leave behind.
The ones with the most authority – – the hats of the influencer, decision-maker, agent-of-change, optimist, and visionary. Our values posted on the brims advertising their worth. Respect. Generosity. Genuineness. Forgiver. Deep in one’s soul the mirror we bestow.
Hats off to all, for jobs well-done
