"Fine Feathers"
By, Cheryl Harwell Bailey
By, Cheryl Harwell Bailey
We are, who we are! God fashioned our "souls."
One is a phony who tries to be someone else.
My mother says she knew they were in big trouble when I was only 2 years old.
"Cheri, which coat do you like?" Of course I chose the camel Pendleton
having no concept of money.
I had, and still do, expensive taste.
Good taste, my husband says. Once I learned the high cost of finery,
I kept my mouth shut. Mama knew what was going on in my head,
even when I tried to hide my desires.
We were "middle class."
No one ever sewed, cleaned, cooked, and gardened, for us, but us!
We were "middle class."
No one ever sewed, cleaned, cooked, and gardened, for us, but us!
We had one T.V., one bathroom, and we were happy.
They always found a way to make sure
we had all the things the other kids had.
On occasion my mama would make me
look & feel like a rich girl.
On occasion my mama would make me
look & feel like a rich girl.
One does not need to be wealthy to be be smart and classy.
One morning before the school year started
I spied mama washing, starching & ironing 5 of the most beautiful dresses.
One morning before the school year started
I spied mama washing, starching & ironing 5 of the most beautiful dresses.
(It was required in all schools, for girls to wear dresses in those days.)
"Janet," from a wealthy family, wore similar dresses last year to school.
"Mommy" who are these dresses for?"
"They are sooooo pretty."
"They're for you honey," she said, as I raced to my room to put on my petticoat.
In a flash she pulled the first dress over my head.
She buttoned up the back, tied the 7 inch bow, and put me in front of the mirror.
I felt "so fine," like a "princess."
I tried on every dress, she tied every sash.
I will never forget this & many precious
memories between us.
Today it is very fashionable to wear "vintage"
(second-hand) on the runway, to the Oscars, etc.
I grew up learning a valuable lesson. I could wear a brand new dress from "Sears," or a very expensive dress from "Bloomingdale's" worn once.
Of course on very special occasions a new dress would be purchased for me,
"Janet," from a wealthy family, wore similar dresses last year to school.
"Mommy" who are these dresses for?"
"They are sooooo pretty."
"They're for you honey," she said, as I raced to my room to put on my petticoat.
In a flash she pulled the first dress over my head.
She buttoned up the back, tied the 7 inch bow, and put me in front of the mirror.
I felt "so fine," like a "princess."
I tried on every dress, she tied every sash.
I will never forget this & many precious
memories between us.
Today it is very fashionable to wear "vintage"
(second-hand) on the runway, to the Oscars, etc.
I grew up learning a valuable lesson. I could wear a brand new dress from "Sears," or a very expensive dress from "Bloomingdale's" worn once.
Of course on very special occasions a new dress would be purchased for me,
from somewhere special,
Mama was a "saver, not a "spender."
I really should tell you, my mama purchased the 5 dresses at a "Salvation Army" store.
Mama was a "saver, not a "spender."
I really should tell you, my mama purchased the 5 dresses at a "Salvation Army" store.
No comments:
Post a Comment