"You did what?" I can still hear my mother's voice and see the look of surprise on her face as I explained the reason for the phone call she just received.
With all the wisdom I possessed in my eight year old brain, I decided it would be a good idea to tell all my neighborhood friends that I was having a fashion show at our apartment. I can only imagine the thoughts that went through my mother's spinning head as she answered phone call after phone call from other mothers, seeking details of this "fashion show" that all their little girls wanted to be a part of.
Even now I have to wonder where did that come from? In our house, fashion was least of the concerns I can imagine my parents were preoccupied with. When my mom got off the phone, I got the third degree about what I had said, who did I tell, what was I thinking. I don't remember any of those details now, but I do remember what happened.
I am not sure what possessed my mother to go along with my plan. Bless her heart, instead of telling each of the mothers "my daughter has lost her ever loving mind", she began sewing a dress, not just any dress, but matching dresses for my cousin Jana and me.
This all took place in the early 1970's. I do not remember a lot about what the dresses looked like except, they were multi colored polka dot and had matching scarves that we tied in our hair. We were so excited to have our matching dresses, and just knew that we would be winning the fashion show.
Our small three bedroom apartment was a hub of activity that night. I vaguely remember finger foods being out, and a room full of parents watching us. We all received standing ovations as we made our way down the stairs and twirled around the living room, like models walking the catwalk. To the best of my recollection, no one won, the 'panel of judges' declared a tie among all the contestants. It is pretty evident there was someone else in the house with much more wisdom than I.
Wisdom, as defined by Merriam-Webster: accumulated philosophical or scientific learning; good sense. See, at my tender age of eight, I possessed absolutely zero wisdom. My mother, on the other hand, had more years of life experience, and insight of the big picture regarding my friends and I competing against each other for who was the prettiest.
The bible says many things about wisdom, but one of my favorite verses is:
But the wisdom that comes from God is like this: First, it is pure. It is also peaceful, gentle, and easy to please. This wisdom is always ready to help people who have trouble and to do good for others. This wisdom is always fair and honest. James 3:17 ERV
My mother's wisdom was in this instance peaceful and gentle, she never yelled at me, or got mad at having to take the extra time to make (not one but two) dresses, clean the house for all the guests and host my impromptu fashion show. By allowing us to carry on with my crazy plan, she did what was good for others, by not disappointing all my little friends. Most of all, she was fair and honest. I am sure one of the other little girls may have been prettier that the rest of us, someone else more graceful, and someone else may have had a prettier dress (I doubt it). But we were all made to feel beautiful, elegant and equally admired for that moment in time.
Thank you mom for all the lessons you have taught me in life, and sharing your wisdom. More importantly, thank you for sharing with me how to grow in wisdom.
