( The SLC Sweater )

“This sweater is neither expensive, nor pretty. It is old and its color has faded. It is no friend of the female body and it simply does not fit me! From a rational point of view, this sweater is the least attractive piece of clothing I own. Nevertheless, it is my most valuable garment and I will never ever dispose of it. Not even when it turns to threads and dust, as this sweater fuels me with some of my sweetest memories.”

When I was 18, I took a giant leap and decided to go and discover the world, which I was so anxious to take in. I felt a burning desire to discover life and travelled to this little town called Cold Spring New York USA. More specifically, I spent 6 months at Surprise Lake Camp. Surprise Lake Camp… What’s in a name?

The logo on my sweater reads ‘Experience it!’ and if one word could capture my stay in SLC, it would be ‘experience’. I particularly experienced beauty: in nature, silence, people, courage, friendship, happiness and sadness. But above all I experienced love: love for life and all its edges, both smooth and rough.

On the other side of the world, I realized that you need not travel to find all you want in life. It is always inside and around you. And the same goes for my sweater. To many it might look like an old rag, yet to me there is more than meets the eye. My sweater has grown a soul.  Whenever I wear it, it brings back so many sweet memories. Most importantly, it reminds me of love! It reminds me of life!

( Cicely )
( The Netherlands )