Hard Hat

They gave out yellow hard hats at my college graduation 40 years ago. But I never attended knowing my family would not make the drive.

I stayed home and weeks later they mailed me my diploma. No hard hat. 

Last week on my walk I saw a gray hard hat abandoned on my neighbor Robin's stone wall. There were worker gloves tucked inside. 

I knew they would be thrown out. So I rescued them. I carried them home under my arm while walking my dogs. 

I placed the hat in my foyer. The scent of manly cologne was strong. Now every time I open the door I smile.