Living Reflections from a Dream

Ah yes, Labor Day - when we celebrate the end of summer and all hard work done all year by not working: we bbq, we go to the beach, we swim, we play tennis, we watch sports, we watch family members drink massive quantities of alcohol in an attempt to not kill each other.. and we shop! Because the sales are good on Labor Day, aren't they? And when there is a big shoe sale, it is certainly ok to take some time off from the festivities, even if it's a gorgeous day. Am I right, ladies? So off I go to the big sale.. thinking I'll just run in and run out. After all.. who else would be at the big shoe sale on Labor Day? Clearly I am insane as it's "back to school" time. Yes, the store is swarming with parents and their eye rolling offspring. Ah.. I remember it well. Though it's a good thing I am not in my teenaged years because these belly shirts would never have flown with my mother and I would have been an fashion outcast. But I digress... so there I was trying on these really cute casual shoes when I look over and there is a girl, 12 years old at the most.. trying on the same shoes. My mouth hangs ajar as I wonder if I'm am trying to act younger or she is trying to act older. Can shoes be hip across generations? I'm sitting there in a miffed state because I like these shoes, but I can't buy shoes that a 7th grader will wear. Then her father approaches, takes one look at the shoes and says: no, no, no, no, nooooo way! those are too tall for you. The girl replies: but Daaaaaaddd! (complete with footstomp). Ah yes, I remember it well. While I think it's great that her father is involved in her back to school purchases, I somewhat pity the girl who has to shoe shop with her Dad. Dad's are notoriously unhip about 7th grade fashion for girls. However, I'm secretly pleased that she won't be allowed to purchase the shoes, because that means they can be appropriate for me. None the less I move on to other shoes, because you just never know..-----
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