---Stories From the Closet---

TEARS OF JOY
by Barb McEwen

The daily lives for some people are just like the days we have been having this past winter. Every day seems like the same old thing; day after day and nothing seems to change. The weather will eventually change and life will improve with the warm days that are approaching. However, we can only anticipate when the break in the weather will happen.

About a half hour before closing, there was a woman trying to hurry to get her clothes for work the next day. She had arrived with plenty of time to shop, but was becoming frustrated trying to find professional clothes she desperately needed. There were a few articles in her cart, but she was trying to pick out clothes quickly because time was running out. She needed professional looking clothes and with limited time it was difficult to find her size and style that was on the floor.

I asked her if she would like to look at some outfits from our New Start Boutique. This was her unexpected break. This woman got several outfits that looked like they were made for her. She could hardly contain herself with her new wardrobe that would take care of all her working needs. To her, it was like walking into a fancy boutique in New York and walking out with clothes that she never thought she would own. Not having to worry about tomorrow's work clothes filled her eyes with tears. She thanked every volunteer and gave me a huge hug when leaving. I followed behind her to lock up and when she was stepping out the door, she turned and said, "I'm going right over to my sister's house and show off all my clothes. I cannot thank you guys enough. Thank you for making me smile today."

Just like these endless gloomy winter days that change into bright sunlight hours, so do the lives that are altered by the Community Clothes Closet.