My oldest piece of clothing

Hello dear Shine with Steem family ,
It feels so good to be part of this beautiful contest, “My Oldest Piece of Clothing.” I really want to appreciate our amazing host, @soywilfredg, for bringing up such a thoughtful idea. This contest is more than just talking about clothes it’s about the memories and emotions tied to them, and I’m happy to share mine with you all.

Clothing is not just fashion or fabric, when you say clothing must people will think about fashion or trends. But for me one gown holds a high more value than anything else like money or expensive commodities, it is not just my oldest piece of clothing it is a priceless treasure, my only gift that I got from my beloved father and it connect me to him.
I received this gift on my 10th birthday. It was the first gift ever and maybe it will be the last gift from him because since then I haven't receive any gift from him.I can remember that day very well, my family had organized a small birthday party for me and invited all my friends and relatives, I was surrounded with love, joy and happiness and my father quickly handed me a wrapped package, inside it was a beautiful and a soft fabric gown ready for me to wear.
As a kid I didn't understand why the gown meant so much to me, all I know that whenever I wore it I feel loved, Care for and my heart is full of joy and happiness. It became my best dress, I wore it only occasionally and it became a memory stitched with love, a reminder of the rare but powerful way he showed his affection.

I wore it proudly on my birthday and a few other times afterward, but I quickly realized I didn’t want to wear it too often. I wanted to preserve it. Each time I looked at it hanging in my wardrobe, it reminded me of my father’s face that day, the way he smiled faintly as I danced around in it. That memory is irreplaceable.

Now, 12 years later, the gown no longer fits me. The fabric has grown a little fragile with time, my body is now bigger than it but I could never bring myself to throw it away or give it out, It is not “just a gown” it is a bridge between my present and my past, between me and my father.

Sometimes, I imagine if the gown could speak. I think it would say: “I was given to you with love, and I have carried your father’s memory within me all these years. I have seen your tears when you missed him, and I have seen your smile when you remembered his love.”
I know some people may find it strange to hold on to an old piece of clothing, but to me, it is sacred. Letting go of it would feel like letting go of my father’s last gift, and I am not ready to lose that connection.
So yes, while I have many new clothes in my wardrobe, this gown remains the most valuable. Not because of how it looks, but because of the story it carries. It is my oldest piece of clothing, and it will always hold a place in my heart.

I also want to invite @mercybliss @tempestinyang and @jemilatbuhari to participate in this contest.

Thank you for going through my post and blog. I hope to get feedback