SHOPPING with MOM

I grew up hearing Mom's stories of window-shopping downtown on King Street on Saturday with her best friend, Lydia.  They would stroll slowly, arm in arm, past the stores, chatting and pointing to glamorous hats and purses, shoes, dresses, articles for sale. It was a social event, greeting their friends and acquaintances, and being seen out on the town. The tantalizing scents of fresh baked breads and pastries, fried foods, and even popcorn filled the air and their minds with mouth-watering possibilities. She recalled the thrill of a cold Coca-Cola in a frosty glass with a tall straw, sitting at the counter where every passer-by could see. Most of the stores' owners lived in the upstairs rooms with their families and ran their businesses in the first-floor, street-side storefronts. The local retailers were also neighbors to each other. This made for a close community, as was common at the turn of the last century. With these thoughts firmly in place, Mom and I set out to  enjoy an early morning jaunt downtown.  Knowing that cities everywhere have grown and prospered has not dampened her delight in remembering so many tales. She is at heart a story-teller, and her memory at 82+ years rivals my own. Today we easily found a parking place, fed the meter and sauntered into a chic store specializing in fun jewelry. I enjoyed giving Mom this time to shop in her overgrown hometown, as I watched her eager and happy eyes take in all the changes, her sharp mind point out storefronts and places she once knew. And of course she charmed the 2 young sales girls with her Southern graces, topping it off with an offer of wrapped peppermints and a promise to return soon. Replete with shopping bags and stories in hand, we escaped with our wonder intact, and our memories renewed.