It was a typical Thursday morning. I took a left turn into my neighborhood, steaming hot coffee in my cup holder, as I pondered the research report I needed to edit.
And there she was, crossing the street—in my suit.
The woman crossing the street had my old business suit on, one I recently donated in a drive to clothe women in need who were trying to support families. She was coming from the apartments near my home that house quite a few low-income families and refugees.
That suit was not inexpensive and different enough from the norm to be easily recognizable. I’d finally purged it from my closet, knowing if I hit that suit size ever again it would be an act of God. It was the first “real” ensemble I bought myself in Chicago—in the designer department at Marshall Field’s on State Street. The price tag made me gasp at the time. But, that suit saw me through oh-so-many occasions.
Weekly breakfast meetings with my colleague and the ad agency at the Ritz Carlton. After-work holiday parties at some swanky restaurant or another. Interviews in which I tried hard not to show how very nervous I was. Lunch dates with suitors I thought might be “the one.” There was at least a decade of living in that suit and it looked none the worse for wear.
The woman wearing it this morning—well, she looked magnificent. Smiling and seemingly feeling like a million bucks. I will admit that a single tear rolled down my cheek after I saw her. She gave a backward glance at her kids, who were waiting for the bus outside the apartment complex. And she headed toward the public bus stop. I’m hoping she was dressed for a job interview that she nailed.
I wanted to roll down the window and shout: “You’ll do great! That suit has never let me down.” But I didn’t, of course. The mojo was now hers. No need to remind her it was once someone else’s.
It was not easy for me to part with that darned suit. I remember standing in my closet, thinking how foolish it was that I was holding onto an item of clothing that could be bringing someone else joy. And, silly as it may sound, I wished that joy upon whoever ended up with it as I placed it in the donation bag.
So, thank you, Universe. For showing me the joy in that woman’s face this morning. Most of us don’t get to see where our good intentions land. I’m here to tell you—it was beautiful.
candidkay 
Wow! Amazing! You and this story are amazing 👏
Aw, thanks:). Very kind words.
Will I ever wear it again? I know so well the question, but it is such a nice feeling to pass it on to others… she will for sure have success with her new suit and you dear christine have room to treat yourself to something just as wonderful. Much love and happy new year… love barbara x
Thank you, Barbara! Happy New Year to you also. Here’s to spreading the good juju in 2018.
And aren’t those always the best, the intentions we let go of and we don’t know where they will land. Joy indeed. Happy New year.
Happy New Year! 🎉 I love that I got to see where this good intention landed :-).
This is so cool! Love the serendipity of it.
Me too:)
You have quite literally made my day! What a beautiful post, Kristine, and what a joy to see where your good intentions chanced to land. Thank you for sharing this much-needed moment of joy with us! May that wonderful, well-loved suit never let her down. xo
I am wishing her at least a decade of happiness in that suit :-). And if it holds up, I hope she passes it on to the next person that needs it.
This made me think about some really lovely charity shops where I live and some lovely clothes to choose from. Isn’t it nice when we have a part to.play in making someones day great.
It certainly is! Glad to know that there are some near you for people to benefit from.
What a great story. You made another woman feel like a million bucks so it sounds like the suit that keeps on giving! Hope she nailed it too.
Amazing what a nice suit can do for us, right?!
How great that you got to see your gift in action! Hopefully you inspire others to give what they can as well.
It was a gift to me as well as to her:). Win/win!
I LOVE THIS POST! I often wonder about the suits and shoes I’ve “outgrown” or departed from after my work life changes. I can still fit into some suits (thank you, yoga) but despite their classic lines, I don’t know if they “fit me” anymore. Some I just can’t part with — a herringbone Ann Taylor… soon one day…but not yet. Your post shares with us that sweet swell of knowing and love and GOOD JUJU that suit blossomed already within you. It must have been soul-redeeming to see it walk down the street on that beautiful mother. Thanks for giving it a new life. -M
You had me at herringbone Ann Taylor:). Back in the day when their clothing was really well-made. I had a hearing bone dress! Too bad we never met on the street :-). I’m sure we would’ve given each other a small salute :-).
It IS from back in the day… 1994… and a Black Watch Laura Ashley… I just can’t depart yet… But I have donated some really nice other stuff… they got me to here. I’m SURE we would’ve saluted each other.
Merry Christmas, K!
Good on you! Great story .. sometimes it is so hard to part with old favourites. But I’m with you .. nice to know that some else can enjoy them 😃
It’s true! It’s more joy than the original ownership gave me:).
That’s amazing! How thrilling to see the woman giving new life to such a special suit. Makes it all worthwhile.
It sure does! Felt like it was an early Christmas present from the universe :-).
This just shows that small acts of donating or helping can really give someone that kickstart they need. Kudos to you.
I am greedy! I keep wondering why we are looking to leaders who don’t seem to get much done instead of to ourselves. The power in each of us as individuals to change our own and others’ lives is just amazing.
I totally agree with you 100%. The power is with us but also the responsibility is with us. Its us that lets these leaders into power. It is up to us to show the example for all the follow.
I so love when you said that there was no need to remind her & that the mojo was now hers. How selfless! ❤ Kudos to you, Kristine, & thank you for the inspiration!!! ❤ 🙂
Let’s hope the mojo worked it’s magic for her!
☺💖👍
Awwww…what a heartwarming & inspiring story!!! ❤ 🙂 Thank you, Kristine!!! 🙂 ❤
I’m off to scrounge up something from the refrigerator so I can drink a toast to sharing mojo!
I’m virtually toasting you!🍸🍸
Ah that was so lovely, what a great story
Thanks! Glad you liked it.
How amazing that your paths crossed like that Kristine. And it emphasises the pleasure of giving, and how the gift can mean so much more than the monetary value. Like the African kids wearing the football or athletics gear that we have no further use for – it is often the most wonderful thing they have ever been given.
I love that our paths crossed. I like to believe there are no coincidences. A few seconds more or less in the Starbucks drive-through and we would have missed each other:). Kismet!
What a fun and heartwarming story!
Thanks! An early holiday present from the Universe:).
Great attitude Kay. Hugs and blessings…
What a great story Kristine, I’m so glad you got to see the results of your good intentions 🙂
Me too! It felt like an early Christmas present:).
This is so lovely. I especially like that you didn’t remind the woman of where her suit came from. As you say, the mojo is now hers. 🙂
It is! And that, really, was why the tear rolled down my cheek. It felt good to see that mojo heading into the world, attached to such a hopeful face:).
I so hope that she’s benefiting from it. 🙂
Me too! I just got the feeling that it was a job interview. I don’t know why. But if it was, I really do hope that she nailed it :-).
So do I. 🙂
She had selected that suit because of its energy Kristine…it had been empowered by much strength, courage and beauty…who wouldn’t be attracted to it! And as you have said about hoping she nailed that next meeting in it, you have just enabled the next President of the United States to take her first step towards her destiny ❤ 😀
Those are some very kind words, sir:). And if she can make Prez in that suit, maybe I should have lost a few pounds and held onto it:)!
You glow regardless young lady, ‘your’ destiny awaits ‘you’! ❤
Merry Christmas Kristine, maybe Santa has a new suit waiting under the tree, or at the least, in your heart ❤ 😀
Merry Christmas to you also! 🎄🎄🍾🍾
Loved this ! So heartfelt and wonderful.
Thank you! It was kismet at its very best this morning:).
Fantastic story. Thanks for sharing it. 😊😊
Well, thanks for reading it! :).
My pleasure. 😊