As a teen, I expected things to go my way. Why not? I thought if you tried hard enough everything works. A part-time job would soon give me a new perspective.
Miller’s Department Store offered a wide variety of housewares, clothing, shoes, and toys. I routinely cleaned up the changing rooms, and folded piles of pants, shirts, and sweaters.
I tidied up the racks of clothes and made sure customers didn’t wait at the cash register.
Living in a small mill town brought its share of economic ups and downs—depending on the price of lumber. For some, this was a down time.
In October, an older woman brought a pile of clothes and toys to the checkout counter.
“I need to put these on layaway, please.” She seemed weary.
I looked at the pile and inwardly sighed. My manager helped me since this was my first layaway. Every item was rung up and charged, but she only had to make her first payment.
I saw her pull out the single bill in her wallet—$5.00. I put everything upstairs.
The Layaway Mom seemed to come during my shift every week. I would take her cash and apply it to the bill. She didn’t seem as old as I first thought, and she told me these were gifts for her four young children.
There was something strong and dependable about her. She might not have a lot of money, but she was always kind.
It was just a week before Christmas when she made her final payment. I retrieved the packages, and offered to gift wrap them. We chatted while I wrapped, and I heard a bit more of her story.
I wanted to make the gifts look as special as the heart of the mother who did so much to get them.
I think my time with the Layaway Mom did more for me than I realized. In just a couple years I would enter my own down time. Remembering that hardworking mom’s determination, clothed in kindness, was the best teacher I could have.
Photos from Mason Country Historical Society