It was a Christmas gift over fifty years ago. A pin representing a perfectly shaped fir tree with tiny jewels set in gold to represent the ornaments. I loved it then; I love it even more now.
Ollie, my stepfather who gifted me, had impeccable taste. Quiet and unassuming, he gave me this pin for Christmas in 1962 when I was a sophomore in college. Those school years are long gone. He is long gone. The pin remains.
I wear it on the sleeve of my favorite winter coat. At the bottom, so I can admire it. For a while I wore it in the traditional place on my coat’s collar. It caught on wooly scarves. It scratched my chin. I never got to look at it.
So a while back I moved the pin to the bottom of my left sleeve. It’s been there ever since. I can’t tell you how many people see it and comment. I don’t explain; instead I simply say “Thank you.” But it makes me think that is where pins belong. Especially, as the old adage goes, if you’re wearing your heart on your sleeve.
Regarding Ollie, I am.
Sweet man!