Shirts and jackets
pants and shoes.
Does this sweater
come in blue?
Brand-new socks
and underwear?
Llama Llama does not care.
from Llama, Llama Mad at Mama
by Anna Dewdney
pants and shoes.
Does this sweater
come in blue?
Brand-new socks
and underwear?
Llama Llama does not care.
from Llama, Llama Mad at Mama
by Anna Dewdney
Most of us just spent a frantic month or so shopping. I do not like to shop. I think it started with my mom, who rose to the challenge, but only just. She would pack up my sister and me and off we’d go. My sister looked cute in everything she tried on. We couldn’t always find my size. I remember 6X, and went on to wear other “X’s,” too. I wasn’t the fattest girl in my grade, but I was a far cry from thin, like my sister.
My older daughter loves to shop. She takes after my sister, always looking cute in the outfits she tried on. When she needed a dress for Homecoming, I took stock of my options and decided to put on a brave face and head out as the Mom Who Could Shop. My daughter was a lively teenage girl with lots of energy and high motivation. I had life experience and an extra 22 years. By the time she had tried on her 17th or so dress in the 10th or so store, I was way past done. My legs were shot, my mind was shot and I was out of patience.
I told her we’d have to come back out tomorrow. There were still a few places we hadn’t looked. She balked, begging for one last try. I found a bench in the center of the mall concourse and cried real, but very quiet tears. She took no pity.
The second I agreed, an angel jumped onto my shoulder. The very next dress was THE dress. I don’t remember the name of the store, but I remember the dress: bright, royal blue like the sky on a cloudless day in the middle of autumn. A slight puff of sleeve at the shoulder tapered into a tighter fit at the wrist. The flounced skirt was exactly the right length. She was happy. I was thrilled at the thought of finally going home.
But what about the shoes?
Ohhh...
After a good night’s sleep, I was ready (almost) to tackle the shoes. Right after school, we piled into the car and went straight to Payless. My angel came, too. I saw them before we even got out of the car. There in the window was a pair of blue heels, not too high, exactly the same color as THE dress! In her size! She slid them on and became Cinderella trying on her glass slipper.
It was a small miracle, but just the miracle I needed. I thanked G-d, my angel, and my lucky stars and went home to make dinner.
I know my daughter will be reading this, so...Rachel, I love you and never want you to be any different than the way you are: tenacious, persistent, hard-working, loving and dedicated to your family and your values. Thanks for letting me tell your story!
--stay curious!
My older daughter loves to shop. She takes after my sister, always looking cute in the outfits she tried on. When she needed a dress for Homecoming, I took stock of my options and decided to put on a brave face and head out as the Mom Who Could Shop. My daughter was a lively teenage girl with lots of energy and high motivation. I had life experience and an extra 22 years. By the time she had tried on her 17th or so dress in the 10th or so store, I was way past done. My legs were shot, my mind was shot and I was out of patience.
I told her we’d have to come back out tomorrow. There were still a few places we hadn’t looked. She balked, begging for one last try. I found a bench in the center of the mall concourse and cried real, but very quiet tears. She took no pity.
The second I agreed, an angel jumped onto my shoulder. The very next dress was THE dress. I don’t remember the name of the store, but I remember the dress: bright, royal blue like the sky on a cloudless day in the middle of autumn. A slight puff of sleeve at the shoulder tapered into a tighter fit at the wrist. The flounced skirt was exactly the right length. She was happy. I was thrilled at the thought of finally going home.
But what about the shoes?
Ohhh...
After a good night’s sleep, I was ready (almost) to tackle the shoes. Right after school, we piled into the car and went straight to Payless. My angel came, too. I saw them before we even got out of the car. There in the window was a pair of blue heels, not too high, exactly the same color as THE dress! In her size! She slid them on and became Cinderella trying on her glass slipper.
It was a small miracle, but just the miracle I needed. I thanked G-d, my angel, and my lucky stars and went home to make dinner.
I know my daughter will be reading this, so...Rachel, I love you and never want you to be any different than the way you are: tenacious, persistent, hard-working, loving and dedicated to your family and your values. Thanks for letting me tell your story!
--stay curious!
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