Who Would Not be Happy in These Pajamas

I frequently talk about pivotal years but there is one that I don’t often mention, 2002. Interestingly it was a pivotal year that in some respects reversed many of the effect of 1986 and the highlight of the year was a pair of pajamas. It was a year in which I went from unrepentant recluse to grudgingly gregarious, well, about as gregarious as you can get a recluse anyway. I not only got back into photography I actually allowed other people to see my photographs. Unless it was a family type photo which I almost never took, no one other than Janet had ever seen any of my photographs. I put a hundred or so up on the Internet and actually sent out invitations to acquaintances for them to take a look. Only those that knew me prior to 2002 will understand the true significance of that. It was about as un-Woodard as anything thing they had ever witnessed. I returned to my home town for a reunion with my high school graduating class—the first one I had ever attended. I took my first vacation with my brother—one we had been talking about for twenty years—that was the twenty years prior to the previous fifteen years during which time we had not seen each other.

In June, I spent a week in the oncology ward at St Joseph which is what prompted the purchase of the bright spot of the week, my pajamas. I had gone to Walmart and when I saw them, the bright blue, the big red flowers and the fish, I knew I had to have them. I have no idea why I chose to go to Walmart to pick up pajamas other than it was simply serendipitous. Back then I usually avoided Walmart like the plague. When I could finally get out of bed I greatly enjoyed walking the halls and enjoying the smiles I got from everyone. I even wore them home. It was a long ride from the oncology ward to the front door for pickup and I watched the faces of the passersby. Most could hardly keep from laughing--neither could I. I still have those pajamas and I still love them but I save them for special occasions—occasions that need a real kick in the pants brightening.

A few years ago, I told an old high school flame that I had lived my life attempting to prove that the book was not the cover and it is true. I like to think that the exterior does not prepare anyone for the interior. I even work at that although with my looks it doesn’t require much effort. I really do like my exterior because it significantly lowers expectations which makes it much easier to avoid people altogether. At an early age I learned that no one bothers the poor relations. I may be the solid color or at best a plaid when it comes to pajamas, but, you know something? I think there is a possibility that I really might just be those blue pajamas trying to get out.