A day at the Dutchess County Fair with a Button.

Today's button is small and dark and utilitarian. Homely. Funny, I don't remember picking it out of the jar of a thousand buttons to rank in my 137. I dig deep each morning in to the jar and pick a random button. I could feel that it was plain. I almost let it fall from my fingers back into the jar, but something stopped me.
I picked it out - it is smaller than a dime and dark blue, almost black - took a long hard look at it, appreciated it's homeliness and tucked it into my pocket to take to the county fair.
I grew up going to the fair each Labor Day weekend one county north of where I live now. My kids grew up going to the Dutchess County Fair and now my grandchildren were looking forward to this end of summer family ritual. One of them, Benjamin, turns three today making it an extra special day.
So, button in one pocket and a small wad of 20's in the other we headed out.
I fingered it from time to time and I noticed buttons all around me.
We watched a pirate show with rag tag clothing held together with wishes and prayers, some fish line and big buttons.
We went through the arts and crafts building where the quilts are displayed - a few adorned by buttons.
My youngest grandson, only 11 months old, sat in my arms fingering the simple button on my cotton shirt.
Buttons are utilitarian by nature. They hold together the fabric of our daily wardrobes- pirates and grandmas alike. Some are beautiful - like a day at the fair. I am glad today's homely, utilitarian button got to spend a beautiful day at the fair with me. Even if it was in my pocket.