I’ve always admired my mom for her sacrifices and dedication to our family. But recently, I found myself questioning her priorities. My son is starting college, and every bit of financial support helps. So, when I discovered that my 70-year-old mom had spent $1,800 on a designer dress instead of contributing to his college fund, I was upset.
My mom has always been the kind of person who puts others first. She worked tirelessly to provide for us, often going without so we could have what we needed. That’s why her decision to splurge on a dress felt so unexpected.
When I asked her about it, her response was simple but powerful. “For seventy years, I’ve given everything to my children,” she said. “Just once, I wanted something for me.” Her words made me pause. I realized that after a lifetime of selflessness, she wasn’t being selfish—she was finally allowing herself to enjoy something she wanted.
It wasn’t easy to let go of my initial frustration, but I began to see things differently. My mom has spent her entire life caring for others. If buying a dress brought her joy, who was I to deny her that? Maybe it was her way of reminding herself that she’s more than just a mom or a grandma. And maybe, that was a lesson I needed to learn too.
