True story: Written about the time when our family was at a downtime financially.
Photo.: Photo of of my mother, taken several years before her passing of cancer.
When our family finances went downhill, my mother opened up a tailor shop. Mommy was both a designer and a seamstress. It was during this time I had suddenly discovered my mother's newfound talent. Mommy used her expertise to design clothes for the famous movie stars and starlets that would fit their figures and bring forth their beauty and personalities. In return, these stars and starlets would have complete trust in my mother's opinion. Although I was very young, I learned that my mother's talent was a very special and unique talent because many of the movie-stars did indeed looked great wearing the clothes that my mother had designed for them.
I still remember those days very well. I was a skinny little girl, yet carrying out adults' responsibilities. I felt "big" beyond my years. I helped mommy with chores and looking after the shop, welcoming visitors. I also helped her with the deliveries whenever I could between school and the shop. I was so happy that I could be useful and I would help my mother in any way I could. Mommy would extend credits to the stars, and very often when the clothes were delivered they would not have to pay me yet. Mommy understood their financial situations and allowed them to have their much-needed clothes first, then she would collect the payment later when they get paid. When the time came for the stars to pay, mommy would prepare their statements for all the clothes that she had made for them, and the stars would pay her a large lump-sum of money. From that money, mommy would pay a portion to the dressmakers that she had hired for the work.
Helping with chores was something that I never mind doing. It was during this time of my life that mommy would praise me for my work well done in helping her. She would often let others know that I was a good girl and was very helpful to her. It made me proud whenever she acknowledged my help. She would often tell me that I was a big help to her and the family. Though we had "Fay Por Saam” (Fat Lady No. 3) as our family chef, I would often wake up early in the morning on holidays or Sundays, and personally go into the kitchen to make mommy some French Toasts. Then I would take the French Toasts to mommy’s shop to have breakfast there with her. Later in the day, I would be rewarded with an ice cream cone bought from the variety store just a few shops down the street from where we were. Usually, it would be just me and my mother minding the shop, but occasionally, she had to visit her clients, then I would be the tiny girl who was left minding the shop. For some reason, I didn’t even feel small, because I felt like I was an adult already. I had been given grown-up assignments, and I always took them seriously.
I remember on one particular day a well-known star came into our shop to have a dress made. My mom let her browse over some magazines and she found one dress that she liked, but the model in the magazine was very slim compared to this star. Mommy told the star that her figure would look much better in another modified design than what she had wanted to have the dress made. The movie star had chosen a design that would only be suitable for that thin model featured in the magazine, and although the design was lovely, this woman’s figure was not one that would be flattered by wearing the same design. Mommy explained to the star why she would look better with a modified design that would be more suitable to her body. The star became quite defensive and felt insulted by my mother's assessment, although mommy meant well in presenting her idea. Some people simply cannot accept the truth of themselves from another so she took my mom's assessment as an insult and criticism. The star became argumentative.
Mommy became frustrated and did not know what to do with the woman. After all, she had her reputation to keep. Most of her clients were happy with the designs that she had suggested to them and they looked good and elegant when wearing the clothes that she had designed for them. Besides, mommy had worked very hard to establish a good following of clientele, and her reputation was one that she was proud of and most important to her. She would not let this woman ruin her good professional reputation as a good designer and seamstress. So, finally, mom said to the woman that if she would not accept her suggestion, then she would not make the dress for her. She told the woman to go elsewhere to have her dress made. The woman thought she had been highly-insulted by my mother, she went into an unexpected rage and began shouting at my mother. I watched them and grew scared and worried. At one point in time, I thought they were going to have a physical fight. Later, my mom threatened to call the police if the woman would not leave the shop so the woman grabbed her belongings angrily and left the shop. After all, she was a famous star, and she would not want the incidence to be in the newspapers.
Later, I read about her in the newspapers. There were many good and flattering things said about her and her upcoming movie which, I think, was mainly for advertising purposes. I had to smile at the thought of how inaccurately the newspapers had described her as being a sweet person. If they only knew, I thought to myself.
Much to our surprise, however, a few months later this star showed up again in our shop! She apologized to my mother for her recent inappropriate outbursts and convinced mommy to make clothes for her. Mommy accepted her apology and the star became another longtime customer. Thankfully, mommy's business flourished and she did very well in this business that she began at a time when life was not so good financially for the family.
This period - though it was downtime in our family - had brought about many wonderful and positive benefits. Ironically, I did not feel the misery, because my parents were very proud and hardworking, and did not believe in letting others do for them what they could not do for themselves. Many families would have difficult times, but... my parents would never complain about their financial situation to anyone - not to the grandparents, not to the aunts and uncles, and certainly NOT to us, the children! I greatly enjoyed the time when I could help my mother and keeping her company. It was also a time for both of us to become closer together. I learned that with hard work and determination and keeping one's words, one can accomplish wonderful things and prosper!!!
Later, with God’s blessings, the family’s finance would quickly bounce back for the better, and daddy would have the money to purchase another house for us, and we were happy once again. I am so thankful for this period of my life that allowed me to be much closer to my mother and to learn so many good strong qualities within her.
Author's Note: This story was written by Sandie May Joyce (Sandie Angel) and was published in the book "The Visitors – Angels In Our Midst" – a collection of inspirational stories from authors around the world. Compiled and published by Linda Law, this book can be purchased in lulu.com ISBN 978-0557049561
A beautiful tribute to your mom who not only was a creative and talented seamstress, but a forthright woman who did not compromise her convictions at the risk of losing business.
That's very interesting of what Beh's is doing. Yes, being a seamstress and a dress designer, you can meet a lot of people and celebrities. My mom did that when we were kids, but she only did that for a while. No, she was not the major provider for our family, my dad was. My dad worked and had his own electronic business. He made a lot of money, bought 6 cars in one day, and shared them with his siblings. He was a very sharing person. My mom only did that business for a while as far as I can remember. But those were the days that had really made me admire her talents and be so close to her. :o)
What you have written tells me that your mother was a major provider for your family. Her story parallels Beh's, because she is also a seamstress, designer, and shop owner who has famous people come to her shop. Recently, she had to alter a dress for a former Miss Universe whose breasts were too large for the dress she bought for a occasion. Now that her sister-in-law has arrived to help her, they are starting to design and make clothes for their clientele.
God was always there! How absolutely beautiful! Thank you for this!!! Keep the stories, poems, everything coming. We need to read and relate to EVERYTHING you write.
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