I'm going to start wearing hats...

Mary's funeral was today. I wasn't surprised by the number of people that were in attendance, but I was surprised by the number of people who apparently knew Mary the same way I did. Same way in that she made everyone's life she chose to be a part of feel special, loved, and moved by her generosity. There were few dry eyes, hundreds of friends, and almost as many family members.

There were a number of epiphanies I felt strike me throughout the day. How much I love Ellen and would be lost without her eternal optism, support, and humor. I felt more "Catholic" than I have in a long time. The church was a comfort, the Mass familiar and soothing, the words and movements coming automatically. I also kept noticing this elegant, if somewhat defiant looking, older lady in a voluminous cloak with a silver adornment at the nape, wearing a hat.

I love hats. I go to the department store and try them on. I love big sun hats and caps, hats for warmth and hats for fun. I love the colors and textures and patterns. They make me smile. They're daring, in of and themselves, and bold. I don't generally wear hats. Maybe I'll wear a ball cap if it's summer and I'm running around on the weekend or I'll wear a sun visor if I go hiking. But those are good reasons to wear a hat, appropriate even. They seem too ostentacious for me. I am no fashionista. I'm not thin or beautiful. I'm not glamorous or mysterious, well traveled, particularly well read, or even just striking. Who am I to where a hat?

Regardless of all those truths, life is too short to make yourself "qualify" for what makes you happy. Even if I am none of those things, like Mary with her love of jewelery, big colorful bags, great wine, and adventures, I'm going to enjoy the little things in life that bring me pleasure. So, starting now, I'm going to start wearing hats.