The $27 I Never Really Knew

So, here’s the truth.  Today I spent $27 on materials to make Adelade a poodle skirt.

$27.  I know that doesn’t sound like much.  I know it’s actually not much.  But, there were other things I needed to spend that $27 on.  Like shoes.  Or food.  Or toothpaste.  Or stain remover for the piles of laundry waiting to be washed.

But, I spent it on felt and shiny trim and a sweet little pattern.  And the piles of laundry will last another day as I turn those little pieces of fabric into a gloriously turquoise skirt for Adelade to wear on 1950s night at church. It seems silly, making a skirt (a $27 skirt) for one night at church.  It looks foolish, like I have too much time on my hands and money to burn.

But, I can’t help but think that Adelade is only seven for so long.  Seven years old, and beyond excited about a poodle skirt that she insisted should be the same color as mine.  Seven, and confident that her mother can make anything that she dreams up.  Seven years old, and so very easy to please.  And I do love to make that girl happy.

A skirt.  Such a small thing.  So unimportant.  Yet, so special to her.

So, shoes can wait.  And who needs food?  Okay, we do need food.  But, I don’t want to fret over $27.  Money comes and goes our whole lives.

But, there is only one seven year old Adelade.

So, good-bye, $27.  You were good to me in the three hours that I knew you.  Sorry to say that in a few days I won’t even remember you ever existed.  But, I will always remember a seven year old girl, with freckles like mine, smiling the night away in a turquoise skirt that matches her eyes.  I’d pay good money just to see that.  Oh, wait.  I did.

And it was totally worth it.