The Laughing Wolf

A Childhood Memory

Events of the last week or so have conspired to send me shopping. Now, unlike some males, I have no particular bias against shopping. Those who know me only in casual wear will be surprised, but close friends will not, to find that I can be a bit of a clothes horse. I love well-made clothes, and my best suit is custom made of imported wool. I am a bit of a traditionalist, but love well-crafted and considered flare as well.

My search for some new clothes took me back to a wonderful place, that of childhood. One of the places I went to shop was a favorite childhood destination, Lenox Square. Given that my parents had little money, my Mom made many of my clothes. There were some things, however, that she would not make and we went shopping for them. I rather suspect that much of the shopping was really for her, but every couple of years we would make the pilgrimage to Lenox Square to shop.

We made the round then, both of Lenox and of Phipps. Phipps was the high-end, the hoi polloi of shopping. Lots of window shopping was done there, but little else as even the refreshments were well above our means. “Champaign taste and beer pocket book” was how Mom described it. Yet, we did it and enjoyed it. Mom had a great means of keeping me in line: if I was good and put up with all her shopping (which I suspect was the real driver), we would go eat at The Magic Pan. This was a crepe restaurant in Lenox, and for me it was the san greal. That, or some other lofty eatery was the goal, the reason to put up with the shopping. It was white linen and fine manners, the chance to use all the utensils in proper order, and I reveled in it. I also picked up a liking of truly fine clothing, and keep it to this day.

I walked the new Lenox Square, and enjoyed the experience. I found one pair of good trousers to buy, and may go back for more. I found the shoes I desired, and more than that, I found a part of myself long lost. The little boy, the seeker of the highest, who searched for the best as it it were a man with a lantern. A fond memory of youth, and truth that is transmuted into something more.

So, what memory drives you? What shaped your search for the best in something? What brings back a very fond memory from youth, a time you shared with others? Think on that this day, and remember the wonder and the joy in all parts of life.

LW