Sports Bra on the Sidewalk

On the sidewalk this morning was a black and white women's sports bra. I noticed it while walking Bella. She stopped to sniff it, then turned around, and I had to stop and snap a picture — and then think about it for the rest of the walk. Why was the sports bra on the sidewalk?

The bra had a smiley face on it, so it must belong to a brand. I wondered — whoever purchased this garment had to have had a reason. This got me thinking about the fantasies in our heads. Was the purchase part of a goal to work out during the year? Was it a gift from a partner, discarded when the relationship ended? I will never know.

Maybe I should have picked up the sports bra and thrown it away, but even that would be weird. Imagine encountering another dog owner while I'm carrying a woman's sports bra. Not exactly poop bag material. So I left the bra on the sidewalk and continued the walk, as well as my thoughts.

It made me circle back to our purchases, and maybe a lesson. We may have an intention when we buy — to feel better, to be something, to spend just because. But that story is just that. The impulse we need to purchase something we may one day throw away.

What have you bought for a version of yourself that never arrived?

Here, I made this. My gift to you, for taking the time to read.

Images are from my imagination, generated by AI. Writing is all me.