The Power of a Dress ....

Yesterday as we walked from the store my daughter jumped in every puddle she saw. It was not until I lifted her in the car, I saw the mud all over the bottom of her pink sweat pants and tennis shoes. She did not care at all about getting wet and muddy. It was my wife that actually cared.

Today was a different story. My daughters were transformed into proper well-behaved (well, sort of) princesses just by slipping on dress. Both of my girls had on matching dresses, white sweaters, white tights and black patent leather shoes for church. Their moods were transformed. Ella danced around the house twirling and dancing about. She had to show every person she knew her beautiful dress. (Total credit goes to my wife for their daily outfits.) Later as we walked to the car, Ella had to be carried over every puddle. She would not go near one for fear of messing up her precious dress.

I reflected on the power of a dress. I thought about the many times in the future when my daughters will be transformed by a dress. The special days that will be marked by a dress. I remember several times a dress has been the marker for change in the lives of woman around me. My wife on our wedding day. My niece on hers. I remember the look on my bother in-laws face the day my niece was married. I got a tear in my eye and immediately had to stop thinking about the power of a dress.