September, sweet September, bittersweet September. September is a transition month; it transitions summer into autumn. 1
In life it is a bridge to a later time, when the kids are grown and we have retired from the nine to five. We are set to enjoy the years of care and toil that have brought us to this point. 2
For me, the promised autumn of a life was much too short, and September has become a month of contradictions, joy and pain, disappointment and success, life and death. 3
My Mama was born in September, September 17, 1923 to be exact. And on a crisp, September day, September 25, 1996 she took her last breath.4
For all of my childhood, I was just her daughter, a child in a child’s place. Though Mama was small in stature, she loomed large as a figure of love and discipline. We were poor, but I never knew it because I was rich in my Mama’s care. My Mama always sacrificed so that I would have all that I needed and most of what I wanted. 5
The September that I started school, my mama moved me from the colorful neighborhood we lived in, to a family oriented, middle class enclave with children my age and better schools. The move meant a 45 minute bus ride to her job, but it also meant that I got to make new friends and get a quality education. 6
The September that I started Junior High School, my mama enrolled me in a charm school. It took all of her ‘pocket money’. She took a sandwich to work every day until charm school was over. But she made sure I went into my teen years knowing how to be a proper young lady. 7
The September that I started High school, my mama bought me a brand new wardrobe, all of the latest styles a teenager in 1966 could want. She sacrificed a warm winter coat and probably much more to make sure that I started High School looking good, and feeling confident. 8
As I grew into adulthood, my relationship with my mama transitioned; we grew also into being best friends. I remember the day in September, in the autumn of her life, when she told me that our friendship had been the very best part of us being together.9
As the days in her September continued to pass, and to shorten, I would often turn to her, my eyes pleading, silently asking her, how I do this? How do I let you go? In her quiet way, her gracious way, she let me know that I would never have to let her go… her love for me, she said, would never end.10
With her gentle grace, I was reminded that through her love she would always be there for me and that I could always turn to my memories of her for guidance. She refused to leave me until she was sure I understood that her love for me would never die. She spent just enough of her last September with me to let me know that I could let her go.11
My Mama left me all of her material things. She left me her mink stole, her china, and her jewelry. She left me her favorite recipes, and her southern wit and wisdom… but best of all, most of all she left me the very essence that was her. She left me a road map to follow; her legacy; my Mama left me her shoes.12
September comes every year, and each year since her death, I have walked my paths seemingly alone but, I know, I have my Mama’s shoes, and they guide me, cautioning me not to trip and fall over all the pitfalls that litter my way. Mama left her shoes and their footprints to follow. She left them for me to walk right into life and announce that I had arrived. She left them to pave the road to my autumn and guide me to enjoy it to the fullest. 13
Though her leaving was not the route we planned to take together, Mama’s shoes remind me that I do not walk alone. With every step, she is there with me; her love; and her spirit reminding, ever reminding me that someday, neither one of us will need these Shoes, and that someday…we will again have each other. 14
The autumn of my mama’s life was way too short and September is always a reminder of that. But, September also rejuvenates me because it is a reminder of the love and legacy my Mama left me. My Mama left me her shoes as a bridge to her love and her legacy. Thank you Mama for leaving me with your Shoes.
A contest entry
- September New Member Contest by SW Greeters.
350 points, ended October 4, 2008, 10 entries
Gold trophy winner
• next story in this contest, remove from contest - Exceptional Stories To Be Published - 2 by Andy Stephenson.
350 points, ended October 21, 2008, 18 entries
Honorable mention
• next story in this contest, remove from contest
Comments
1 - 10 of 10
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A very good story. Kudos to you and so ends my journey here with this last reading--alas, i have to go but will visit you here again in the future and read what stories i did miss.
beginning: 5, language: 5, plot: 5, ending: 5, dialog: 5, characters: 5.
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This is a very nice nostalgia piece, and also a wonderful description of a powerful love between mother and daughter. I have a three year old daughter and I hope that I can achieve the bonding that the narrator has experienced.
You use multiple metaphors in this story – the month of September, signifying Autumn, signifying the down-side of the cycle of life. Then you also use the metaphor of Mama’s shoes – as a representative of following Mama’s roadmap, her journey being a preferred path. I find the superimposition of the two metaphors interesting – unusual, if you like, but certainly consistent, including in the title.
I sent suggested edits in a private email.
It was a pleasure to read.
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Hi
This story is being considered for inclusion in a Storywrite anthology we hope to publish. If you would like this story to be considered, please apply to this group:
http://storywrite.com/group/info/Storywrite%20Anthology%20Volume%20One?stay=1
Andy
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Very Good!
p1 September is a (transitional) month;[I think 'transitional' is better, but it works either way.]
I've read this before, but I still think it is very good.
Congratulations on the Gold trophy in the New Members contest.
Thanks for entering Exceptional Stories To Be Published - 2
Andy -
One sentence: This is the only story on Storywrite that's ever made me cry. =]
Beautiful.
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Hi! Glad to see you've entered the new member contest! This was a great piece, full of deep emotions and a lot of love. You've done an excellent job of painting the picture of this mother-daughter relationship, and of tying it to the month of change and transition - September. I love the idea of a mother leaving metaphorical shoes for her daughter - not to fill but to be guided by. Such a beautiful concept - I really enjoyed it! Good luck in the contest, and welcome aboard!
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I'm teary eyed. Thanks for entering and good luck in the contest.
Brooke
greeter -
Beautiful
I thought your story was loving and caring, showing beautiful relationship between a mother and a daughter. I think that there is no bond that is closer. I thought you described it beautifully.
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Good Story!
I like the analogies you draw with the allusions to September and to Shoes. This is a touching story. I think a little more life could be added to it by adding some dialogue. It is very well written.
Thanks for entering the new member contest. Welcome to Storywrite
If we may be of assistance, please let us know.
Andy, greeter
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Hello Jessie's daughter and welcome to Storywrite; thanks for sharing this lovely memorial to your mom
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It was a unique way of using the autumn prompt. It is well written and easy to follow and understand.
There isn’t a whole lot to say about it. It is so deeply personal and delightfully lovely that most adults will just accept your emotional connection.
I look forward to reading more of your writing.
Good luck in the contest.
Geri
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