Alright, pull out your hankies … this one is a bit emotional for me, but here we go.
November and early December is a bit tough for me because that is the time of year that my mom and I would do our annual Christmas shopping trip. Every year we would look forward to planning a long weekend of shopping at a different destination. Sometimes it was close (Appleton, Wisconsin), but most of the time it was in Milwaukee, Chicago, or The Mall of America. Our biggest shopping trips were to New York City and Florida. Sometimes we (laughingly) planned these trips in April. We made a good team.
The last time my mom was physically able to go shopping was a special year. We stayed at a hotel on Michigan Avenue in Chicago, and I got a room that overlooked the street so that we could watch the Christmas parade. Although truth be told, it wasn’t that perfect … our room also had awnings below it, so much of our view was blocked. Plus, we had to hoist ourselves up to kind of a “loft area” in our room in order to see out the windows. But we did it, and we peeked out the corners of the windows and caught glimpses where we could. Mom always loved a parade.
But perhaps the best part was getting a last minute lunch reservation at the Ralph Lauren restaurant. We had a little round cozy table in front of our own personal fireplace, and as you could imagine, the room was quintessential Ralph Lauren: “rich study-ish”, dark wood, equestrian chic vibes. We drank wine and relaxed and felt oh so fancy.
Oh – and I forgot to mention – no matter where our shopping road trip took us, we always cranked our number one favorite shopping album: Kenny and Dolly: Once Upon a Christmas. I’m not much of a country music person, but give me some Kenny and Dolly Christmas any day!
Now here’s where the hankies come in … although who am I kidding, I’ve already needed them.
Usually when I write about my husband on here, I’m poking fun at him or talking about how much he annoys me. I do this in good fun, and I know he can handle it. But at the same time I want everyone to know that he is one of the most sentimental and kind people I know. Because he did this:
The month after my mom passed, we went to Disney World for a few days as a little getaway. (More accurately, I told him we were going to Disney World, and he didn’t argue because I was grieving and I needed a little joy.) He told me had a surprise for me, which went a little something like this:
“So I know how much you miss Christmas shopping with your mom, and I know how special that was to you. So I thought it would be nice if you started your own tradition with Karissa (my stepdaughter). I’m flying her down next weekend for you two to go Christmas shopping together.”
SOB. I mean, literally, I couldn’t stop sobbing.
This was one of the nicest and most thoughtful things anyone ever did for me, and I am forever thankful. This will be year 3 of the new tradition.
Even though it may not be evident, every time I go Christmas shopping, or every time I look at some kind of home décor for my house, I am imagining my mom right next to me. Do you like this, Mom? What do you think about this, Mom? Would this look good? I wish you were here. You would have loved this store. If you were here, I think you would have bought this. I need your advice.
I miss you every single day. I’m thankful I had you in my life.