Vindication

I haven’t written much lately, and I want to explain why.  I have been recovering from a shock, which shook me to my very core. Not a bad thing, but rather a wondrous event.  My eldest admitted to me that I might have been right.  I know, I know, I am still reeling myself! Friends and acquaintances with older offspring told me this day would come, but I believed my child would defy those optimists, and continue to roll his eyes at me till he was well into middle age.

So on what issue did this miraculous reversal take place, you might ask.  Wardrobe choices! For years I had pointed out various outfits that I felt would look complimentary.  I wanted him to take advantage of the physique he so nonchalantly ignored, tall and lean.  Like most in his peer group, he believed his body would stay like this forever.  I tried to warn him that a beer belly waited for him after a college kegger or two, that the freshman 15 turned into the young adult 30 in the blink of an eye.  Make hay while the sun shines, dress well while clothes still look good on you, I counseled. Trust me, you will look back from middle age at the photos from college, and be mortified at your wardrobe choices. Extra long gym shorts slung way too low, with a wide swatch of boxer shorts on display doesn’t do anything for anybody.  Not even if you are a hip-hop rapper, which by the way, you are not.  The ratty t-shirts sporting grease stains from the last few pizzas you scarfed down coupled with a beat up pair of board shoes, will never get you on the cover of GQ! It was a battle that could not be won.  Peer pressure one, Mom zero.

I was looking over the latest catalogue from Land’s End on a recent afternoon, admiring the clean classic looks sported by the young men, when a miracle occurred.  He leaned over, paged through and said to me, “You know, I wouldn’t mind getting some of these clothes, they look really good.” WHAT!!!!!  Are you being sarcastic, was the first thought that ran through my mind.  I looked around to see if there were any video cameras filming this. Had I had just been a victim of a cruel joke, for the viewing pleasure of u-tube aficionados?  “Are you serious”, I asked? “Yeah, I think it’s’ time to start cleaning up my act in the clothes department.” He replied. Be still my heart, he was agreeing with me!

In the blink of an eye, I had him in the car, racing to the mall.  I figured strike while the iron is hot, this change in attitude was very fragile, and could reverse at any moment. He hasn’t allowed me to help with garment choices since he grew out of his Oshkosh B’Gosh overalls. At the mall, we zeroed in on the young clean looks shown in the catalogue.  He headed off to the dressing room, arms laden with classic Bermuda shorts, cotton button down shirts, and a pair of docksiders. He emerged dressed how I always hoped and prayed he would.  I think I actually brushed a tear or two away. Major damage was done to my American Express card that day, but they were joyous purchases. I felt like a kid at Christmas.

Later that evening he showed his dad the new duds. My husband smiled fondly, and reminisced that these were the same classic looks that he wore in college.  However that was not the same story my mother in law had related.  She had shared with me her battles with children versus clothes. She used to insist that her sons wear the classic khakis, Izod shirts, and boat shoes for major holidays, family events, and any picture taking opportunities.  This was done under protest.  “If left to their own devices, you would have seen a lot more Nehru Jackets and Leisure Suits” she said.  “Trust me, they grow up, and start making some smarter wardrobe decisions” she counseled.

I began to reflect on my own outfit choices, back when I was a teen. Low slung “elephant” bell bottom jeans, with beaded head bands tied Indian style across one’s forehead was not a good look for anyone.  Ditto on the hot pants, 5 inch platform shoes, and the de rigueur tie dyed anything. I must admit I ignored my own mother’s requests to just “take a look” at matching twin sets, and shorts not sporting frayed hems. So I too must admit “sorry Mom, you were right.” Mea culpa.

I overheard my eldest talking to his younger brothers, he was telling them, that maybe Mom wasn’t totally off the mark with her clothing selections.  He actually said, “You know, I have to admit, I should have listened to her sooner.” Ahh music to my ears.  They rolled their eyes and wandered off, one sporting a t-shirt with a picture of a Sumo wrestler, which said “I’m Big in Japan”, the other with a shark tee, sporting the old “Bite Me” logo. I just have to remember they are still in the larva stages of wardrobe development.  One day, in the not so distant future, they too may gladden my heart and ask for button down shirts and argyle socks!