The ground hog is history. Spring has sprung. ‘Tis the season for crocuses and cleaning.

Clearly, it’s time to fling open our closet doors and purge hangers of passé fashions from summers past. If April showers bring May flowers, then closet cleaning hails the fashion forecast for spring.

While debating about the hotties and notties of Chicago chic, we’re advised to think papaya and pink. Flip-flops, halters and baby doll dresses beckon her as bold, print shirts and khakis coax his casual attitude. 

We purchase suits, jackets and swimwear to enhance our image then fill plastic bags with clothing discards that faded, failed or fizzled. While striving to look attractive and trendy, we might focus our attention on the emotions and attitudes we wear each day.

While obsessing over choices of silver or gold bling, we arrive at work clad in a coat of envy. By lunchtime, we’ve accessorized the look with a layer of anger. Finally, we brush on bitterness during happy hour drinks at a club.

Perhaps our spring cleaning crusade should reach the recesses in the closet of our heart. Maybe we should fill a bag with ugly emotions which deeply damage our social life. An emotional makeover can shave 10 or even 20 years off our appearance. The transformation from wretched to radiant occurs when we discard jealousy, anger and unforgiveness from our interior wardrobe.

Pride looks gaudy on everybody. Competitiveness is unflattering and cheapens any skirt or suit. Unkind words spoil every outfit. Grudges are gross and require a strong stain remover. Jealousy is a shade that clashes with everything. Judgementalism is a porcupine jacket guaranteed to hurt friends and acquaintances while wounding the wearer as well.

Beautiful people never leave home without a smile. They wear the natural luster of joy and gentleness. Their understanding outfit matches everything while their coat of kindness is radiant for every occasion. Their perfume of patience permeates any party with grace. Their compassion is a magnet that draws many to their hearts. Beautiful people are givers who look marvelous day and night.

Can you help? While cleaning out those closets, consider the students at St. Mary’s Catholic Elementary School in Plano. Children who attend classes there need lots of books to fill the shelves of their library. The 200 pupils in kindergarten through eighth grade are eager to read volumes of fiction and non-fiction, biographies, mysteries, history, religion, classics, art, poetry and plays. Science and technology books would be especially appreciated. If you have any new or gently used books to donate to St. Mary’s, leave a message at (630) 368-8864 or e-mail HenHouse23@aol.com.