Loaded Down By Summer Laundry

Kaimana in his favorite shirt, which after this photograph was taken went straight into the washer | Tannya Joaquin photo

Lately it feels like my laundry load has multiplied.

For real. I’m in a constant game of catch-up. We even upgraded to a super-sized model to maximize each wash, but it still keeps going and going.

One of the reasons: summer swim lessons and water play at school three days a week.

My kids now bring home a wad of soggy clothes. We’re talking bathing suits, rash guards and personalized towels that need to be washed right away.

I tried to simplify the process (translation: make it easier on Mom) by buying them multiple bathing suit and towel combos, but they still have favorites they want to use at school on a given day.

Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, I have to strategically plan what they’re going to wear and what needs to be washed so it’s ready.

I’ve gotten the system down now, assisted by several choices to get through the week.

But there’s a variable I didn’t figure into the equation. It’s one particular shirt my son is virtually living in these days.

It’s not something you can run out and buy at Ala Moana Center. Otherwise, I On the front, it says Kuapa 2014. On the back, every classmate put their fingerprint and wrote their name.

If he could, Kaimana would wear it every day! At first, I would try to steer him to another choice. You can guess the nature of my pitch: “You already wore that. Why don’t you wear this one instead?”

But I had an epiphany. I realized the shirt stands for something significant to my son.

He’s seen many classmates leave for their new schools, and he’s about to do the same. I think this shirt is sentimental as he transitions to kindergarten.

This isn’t simply a case of “Mom’s intuition.” He made a few comments about missing his friends and the fact that he’s the only one going to his new school from KCAA Kuapa.

He wants to hold onto the friendships and memories his shirt represents.

He’s clinging to this shirt and memories. Even if I’m bogged down by washing it constantly, I will happily do so to give him a sense of security.

tjoaquin@hawaiinewsnow.com