When I was a child, maybe four or five years old, I bought my mother two pairs of earrings as a gift. Maybe it was Mother’s Day; maybe it was Christmas. I don’t remember the occasion or even the shopping trip. But I vividly remember the earrings.
One pair was a coral-pink set of spoons. The other pair was a lime green set of forks. The forks and spoons were about two inches long. I thought these dangly earrings were so enchanting and so appropriate for a mom who spent so much time in the kitchen cooking us great meals (from scratch).
In the months that passed, I could never understand why my mother never wore them! On one weekend evening, I again asked my mother why she never wore those beautiful spoon or fork earrings. With a smile on her face, she went back into her bedroom and came out with a fork on one ear and a spoon on the other. I was beaming with pride as my mother and father drove away on their date night. When they came back home, I was quick to notice that she still was wearing the lovely fork and spoon earrings! I knew that my mother actually did love the gift I had given her. She had worn it on her date night. That was proof.
Now that I’m an adult, I not only understand the scenario, I truly appreciate my mother’s tenderness towards me. An impatient, hurried mom, getting ready for a date night may have blurted out, “Next time, dear. I don’t have time to change them.” or “Well, I’d rather wear these gold loops.” A frustrated and insensitive mother may have said, “I really don’t like those earrings! It was nice of you to buy them, but I will not wear them outside where people can actually see me! Stop pestering me about it!”
But my mom spoke with her actions. She wore the earrings. Granted, she probably changed in the car, but to me, it was evidence of my mom’s appreciation for me, “I buy good gifts for my mom. She loves what I choose for her.”
Now I find myself in the same situation, wearing jewelry that I didn’t choose. And though I may wince at the style, I remind myself to wear it with joy — this is the badge of a mother. To show appreciation to my daughter (and husband) is far more important than my sense of style.
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Hmmmmmm……and WHAT earrings have I purchased tat you wear but do not particularly Like? =-)