My favorite picture of my mother and me. Click to enlarge.
Last week my mom and I were having a conversation about shoes. My mom has always been a lover of shoes. Not quite with Imelda Marcos exhuberance, but had Dad been a richer man, maybe a close rival. Because my mother has such a narrow foot, she has always had to wear very expensive shoes. Only expensive shoes come in AA with a AAAA heel. In fact, when she was growing up in a small town in Kentucky, her father had to drive all the way to Lexington to find shoes that would fit her.
My mother can wear high heels and wear them well, something I have never been able to do. I am a flats girl all the way. Her shoes are always in fashion, yet classic, and she has a zillion different colors that go with every outfit. I have a black pair, some sandals and flip flops, a pair of sneakers, and am desperately in need of something brown.
Anyway, in our conversation, my mother said she wished that with all the shoes she owned, she had some that were truly comfortable. I told her about my SAS shoes and had her try them on. Though I tightened the straps as tight as I could, they fell off her tiny feet, but she marveled at how comfortable the footbed was. I told her that I would make sure I found her a comfortable pair, a pair that would become her favorite. I was looking forward to going shopping with her, just the two of us girls together.
Then the alarm clock rang and I woke up. My mother has been dead for twenty-one years, so this, of course, was a dream. But it felt so real, and it stood out because I rarely dream about my mother. I woke up with a smile because being with her had seemed so real and felt so good. Then it made me miss her even more.
Coming East 
We must make a date to shoe shop mommy. Love you whole bunches.
Maybe when you come? I would love that!
Aw. 🙂
What nice dream! Every time waking up from dreaming of my parents or my big sister (doesn’t happen often even though I think of them all the time), I had a happy and bright day. Hope you do, too. 😉
Just thinking about my mother makes me smile, Helen. So nice to have her visit me in my dream.
I remember the posts you wrote about your mother, Susan. This one brought me tears…
It was happy-sad.
So sweet. Sorry for your loss and glad you have these memories. Funny how little things come to you when least expected. Re: shoes– I’m a dansko fan myself though they’ve changed the styles a lot- the old sandals were the best ever.
I have two pairs of Dansko, but both are winter shoes. I need new summer shoes.
Those true-to-life dreams are special moments. That is a great picture of the two of you.
Those moments are few and far between, so when they come, they are so wonderful.
That was lovely. Thank you so much for sharing…
Thanks, Isadore, for visiting and taking the time to leave a comment.
Oh that is the best reason to always buy expensive shoes. I have no such excuse but I really do love shoes. Years ago when my eldest grandson was four or thereabout, he commented ‘Granma you only have two feet. Why do you need so many (about thirty two pairs ) shoes?” No answer to that question.
I love that you woke with a smile on your face after dreaming of your mother. My mother has been dead for 19 years and dreams of her are few and far between but each is cherished and kept for as long as possible. Lovely post Susan. 🙂
Thanks, Judith. The price of good shoes has risen so much, it’s hard to afford more than a few. I remember when I cringed if I paid more than fifty dollars for a pair. Now I can’t find anything comfortable for under a hundred.
I dream about my mom too and I always wake up with a smile, then realizing in real life she’s gone, I miss her all the more. But those dreams are treasures, aren’t they?
Yes, Mama. I wish we could call those dreams up whenever we wanted.
This made me cry. I so understand those dreams and thoughts. My mom has been gone for 49 years and yet I still dream of conversations with her and I wake with the same feeling. This was a beautiful post. Thank you.
Thank you, DAF.
I too, love my shoes. A few years ago I had hurt my foot & realised that with the exception of my runners, that was not a flat to be found in my shoes closet. Had to go out to purchase a couple for work as runners wouldn’t be too fashionable!
What a lovely memory of your Mom. Even if it was just a dream, I am sure it felt wonderful to spend time with her:)
Thanks, Lynn. Dreams like that are few and far between, sad to say, but when they come, they are blessings.
I was pulling for you to find your beautiful Mom those comfortable, elegant shoes! You are a master of surprise endings! They say a dream is really a wish fulfillment. What a wonderful way to spend a dream! 🙂
Yes, Dor, it was wonderful. I usually don’t have such simple, clear-cut dreams. Hope I have more of them.
Your Mother was an elegant lady indeed. I too miss the days of going shopping with my Mom especially shopping for outfits for her first Grandchild. Little girls clothes are so much fun to buy. She’s been gone 30 years and sometimes it feels like yesterday that I spoke to her.
Isn’t it amazing how the years fly by, but our memories stay so clear of the ones we love and have lost?
What a nice, sweet dream of your mother. You are blessed.
It was a blessing indeed!
Made me cry, Susie! I know that feeling!😇
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She was such a sweet mommy and mother-in-law, wasn’t she? Can’t believe it’s been 21 years.
I remember your Mother well……her wardrobe and her shoes! I think I may have ‘inherited’ her love of shoes…….though most of mine come from the sale racks…….I do have many cute pairs, no heels, and many comfy ones as well! Let’s shop for shoes on our next visit!
Ha! I would love that, Girlfriend!
Oh my. I’m so glad you were able to go shoe shopping. For the reader this felt so real. I, too, have a small foot 5AA with AAAA heel and am in need of something brown. I go to Brucette’s in July to find what I need. From the photo it appears your mother was a very elegant and beautiful lady.
Yes, she was, Georgette. Unfortunately, I inherited none of it. Ha! I’m perfectly content in a worn pair of jeans and my Cape Cod T-shirt. Mom never owned a pair of jeans in her life.