
Flash forward many years, and my dad passed away as Mom was diagnosed with dementia. I had to take over her life, sell her house, and find her a safe place to live--all the while working multiple jobs.
I really needed a happy ending. So I started writing the stories bouncing around in my head. Finding a publisher was hard, but I finally got my first book published. I was an author! Mom had lost the ability to read by then--and didn't really realize the book she held in her hands was written by me. So I didn't get to celebrate with her, or to thank her.
Once Mom was gone, the only way I came to terms with my grief was to talk to my tattoo-artist friend. He listened to me then said he'd draw something up for me. Once he put it onto my leg, I felt at peace.
Happy Mother's Day to all moms out there! Mine taught me how to read, starting me on my life-long romance with words. Thanks so much, Mom!
Wait, what does this have to do with socks? Notice that I'm not wearing socks in this picture. In fact, I prefer sandals and flip-flops so much that I rarely wear socks and shoes except for when there's snow on the ground. And when I go to Jazzercise classes.
Yesterday, May 8th, was No Socks Day. But if you don't wear socks with your shoes, your feet get smelly! So I never wear shoes without socks. I'm so glad that a fashion editor in the WSJ recently said that no-show socks are passé. I hope that means that the shoes-without-socks-look is also passé . Socks wick away the sweat and help your shoes last longer.
Today I'd like to have a moment of silence for May 9th being Lost Sock Memorial Day. Isn't it the truth that once you finally toss that one sock because the mate is lost, then you'll find the other sock soon after that? Don't you just hate that? Better to be like me and wear sandals--never with socks--and not risk the loss!