Mom loved clothes shopping, and she had an incredible wardrobe—sensible business suits, that she mixed and matched to make a variety of ensembles, sturdy outdoor clothes for hiking, some nice dresses, and a few cocktail dresses for fancier occasions.
Back when I was a farmer’s wife, my denim overalls were my daily outfit. I still had lots of my high school clothes, so I felt I had enough.
Then once while Mom was visiting me, she explained I needed one nice dress that would work for special occasions—and she took me to the mall to find it.
She scrutinized the racks looking for a “timeless” dress. I had the feeling we’d be shopping for a while.
But then she held up a lavender dress and gave it to me to try on.
She said that this dress would ride the fashion waves—in her words, it was timeless.
She declared, “This dress is appropriate for dinner parties, weddings, memorials, and with a jacket, would work for a business meeting.”
I still have the dress. I did wear it to weddings, memorials, dinner parties, and it also appears in family photos for my daughter’s graduation, my son’s graduation, and most recently, for his wedding.
Mom was right. One dress, many occasions. Even though I lost her long ago, I feel like Mom’s with me when I wear the special dress she chose for me. Truly, it was timeless.