THE LOUNGE ROOM CURTAINS  

Recently, after watching a mother and daughter hugging and kissing as a sign of affection, I thought… that looks nice…but as I know them both, I’m not sure their performance reflected the real feelings they have for one another.

Let me tell you this true story.

My mother and I never did express our love for one another in a big and bold display. Mind you…there isn’t anything wrong with that action. That just isn't “mum's way”.

When I was thirteen my family and I were invited to a twenty–first  birthday celebration. The guest list included everyone in the district so this was a big occasion. Funny …I can’t remember whose party it was, but I will never forget what happened because of that event.

At the time my mother and father were experiencing financial problems so I could not ask them for money to buy a new frock. As my girl friends excitedly discussed the invitation I felt so sad, because I knew I would have to wear my one and only “good” dress I wore to church every Sunday.

I was the eldest of six children and my mother knew this was a special time for me. A stepping-out occasion in a teenager’s life. She just didn’t have the money to do anything about it. 

The day of the party my mother excitedly told me she was going to sew a skirt for me. Now… my mum wasn’t a seamstress but she could patch and mend. The fashion of the day was to have as much gathered material as one could push into the waistband... so quantity would be a factor.  

Our home had a lounge with nicely polished floorboards. This was a place where “us children” were not allowed to misbehave. It was the “visitors” room. Mum may have been poor but she was also very house proud. She worked a few hours a week at the local cafe and saved diligently so that she could buy some new drapes for this room. The curtains had a blue/grey background with large pink flowers. I must say they were very pretty.

Mum climbed up onto a chair and took them off their rod. Can you imagine my surprise… and joy… when I realized  this was going to be my new skirt!

It only took a few hours and it was sewed and pressed.

That night I felt like a Princess as I laughed and chatted with everyone. My friends were happy for me and showered me with compliments.  Maybe they too were also showing “love” in another form.

I am now over sixty years of age and realize love is not always expressed in the most obvious ways. The love my mother gave me then… will be remembered for a lifetime. Not by kissing or hugging... but via the lounge room curtains.

True story - 1956      ~Author Marleneann~  

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