Mama Says: "I'll Buy It And We'll Split It"

My mother and I are very different creatures, in many respects, but as shoppers we are completely in sync. We are scanners, not scrutinizers, so we can move through a mall at "a pretty fair clip," as my uncles say. We like to get fitting rooms next to each other so we can take turns trying stuff on, encouraging a purchase when it fits just right, and offering support (or maybe a Kleenex) when that little dress that looked so cute on the rack ruthlessly reveals the extra helping of dressing we had at Thanksgiving. Those ill-fitting numbers usually elicit a "They just don't make clothes for me" from Mama. Now that I'm heaving at the door of 50, I know exactly what she means. Our all-time favorite shopping trips are the ones where we find this one thing that we both just have to have. One time it was a red patent purse that wasn't big enough to hold a wallet AND your car keys, so you had to choose between the two. But it was stunning. So we each bought one, used them maybe once, then stuck them on a closet shelf till we put them in a yard sale. This year, we chose more wisely. We were almost out the door of a local department store when we passed a special Oscar de la Renta display. "Let me show you everything you get for free when you buy this bottle of cologne," the salesperson said, loading up a gift box with a scented candle, a pair of earrings, bath powder, lotion, bath gel, and a fistful of cologne samples. Mama and I stopped, spritzed, and sniffed our wrists. "I'll buy it and we'll split it!" she said. She scurried to a register with her credit card while I collected our loot. "What's your name?" the salesperson asked, I told her my name and Mother's. "I'll say a prayer for you tonight," the woman said. "I like to say a prayer for all my customers." How brave was that—to tell a total stranger you're going to pray for them. (There's a book on that subject, if you haven't heard of it—Praying for Strangers by River Jordan.) It happened to me once before, several years ago. Dave was in the hospital, and I had hurried home just long enough to feed the cat and pick up a few groceries and my dinner at Publix. I guess I had my mind on the hospital because when I got out of the car in the grocery store parking lot, I left the door wide open. So when I came back with my groceries, I just stood there for a minute, trying to figure out why the car door wasn't closed. A woman—a stranger—saw me and stopped to see if I was okay and to make sure someone hadn't broken into my car. By way of an explanation, I blurted out everything, how my husband was in the hospital and I was worried about him and on and on. She smiled and said, "I"ll pray for you tonight." This time of year, we think more about people in need and how we can help them. We donate clothes and toys and food and money—as we should. But the truth is, everybody's in need, one way or another. Everybody needs the free gift of a little prayer said for them, maybe by a total stranger—maybe by you and me.

Comments

[candy hicks]

That is just sooo good, almost made me cry.
Prayers are soooooooooooo easy to give and with such wonderful results. thanks for the great read. Hugs :)

[valerieluesse]

Why, thank you my sweet cuz!

[Darryl Moland]

Here's a title for you Valerie, if you haven't used it already: "That Made Me Laugh Until I Cried" But it ain't just a title--it really did! Maybe it's just because I'm missing my mother this Christmas, but I think it's because you my friend, have a gift for stringing words together. I'm so glad I'm a subscriber to your blog and we're back in touch (at least virtually) after all of these years. Do me this one favor: Give your mama a big hug for me, even though I've never met her.

[valerieluesse]

Now that is the sweetest thing. I will definitely pass that hug along. And it is SO good to be back in touch--as you said, even virtually. What a great talent you are. Thank you so much for reading--and writing!