not yet a rag

one of my most treasured possessions needs Hospice. it's just about to be "just a rag" although it will never be just thoughtlessly used. In fact, I couldn't bring myself to tear it up right now. I just inhaled the smell of it deeply, folded it, and put it in the return-to-anchorage pile. because it's not yet a rag. it's still a mendable shirt. Last summer I darned a few holes in the gauzy and faded back of this plain, cotton, pale lavender, long-sleeved shirt from india. or was it nepal?.  I can't remember if it's five years old or more or less. but I know it fully represents my bicycle journeys in Central Asia. and it represents me. a bit worse for the wear, but still has potential, has uses, has value. A most treasured value. experienced and rich.