Tonight, while Vivi and I were picking out her clothes for tomorrow, my hand brushed across this black dress hanging in her closet, a dress she’s never worn. Size 7, light hounds tooth with a smocked bodice, a sash, and a lace trimmed color. I got it for $8 at the fall consignment sale and it’s been hanging there in her closet through the winter with all the other lovely dresses that she never wears.
Vivi has never been to a funeral. But one day, she’ll need a black dress. We never know when, but the days come. I remember my own nephews at Richard’s memorial. Jake was about three. He came up to me in the vestibule at the church and when I knelt down to give him a hug, he reared back and grinned proudly then announced, “We got new SHIRTS!”
A friend from high school lost her daughter this weekend and even though I never met the dear girl and I haven’t seen her mama for 30 years, looking at that tiny black dress in my own daughter’s closet stopped my breath in my throat. It reminded me of a story of a mother, a daughter, a weary heart, and a black dress.
Many years ago, my stepmother’s niece was living her life the hard way. She had spent so many years lost to drugs and alcohol that it was difficult to have any hope that she would ever be free. That hole, that emptiness inside her–she tried to fill it with liquor or cocaine or whatever oblivion she could afford, but the hole only got deeper and darker. No matter how much love came her way, tough or patient or long-suffering, she seemed determined to throw her life away with both hands. Her addiction ate up her marriage and her relationship with her own children. Her job, her home, her family. She threw everything onto the fire.
Big Gay’s sister suffered through it all like mothers do. She tried to help her baby, she tried to warn her, she tried to be strong. But one day, after a nasty scene in her driveway, she had to step away and let her daughter live with the consequences. As the police drove away with her daughter, she found herself calmly pondering whether or not she had a black dress in her closet. She was that sure that she would need one. That is a tough moment for a mother–when she has to watch helplessly as her grown daughter hurtles towards her death.
There was a happier ending to that story. Big Gay’s niece got her life back. Her mother never needed a black dress.
It’s hard to write this next part because I don’t want to share the wrong thing at the wrong time. The young woman who died this weekend died in a single-car accident. Her mother got that horrifying message in the dark of the night that we all dread. She said, “I can’t say that I haven’t expected a call in the night but expecting it and getting it are entirely different things. Please, please, please let this hit home somewhere…”
So that’s why I’m writing about black dresses and mothers and daughters. It hit home with me. We can’t control our children once they are grown. We can’t keep them safe no matter that we would give anything to be able to do so. We can only hope that they will have enough time and good luck to get the chance to save themselves.
Rest in peace, M.W. And peace to her mother and her sister, in their black dresses. Grief is the price we pay for love.
This is very powerful. Last spring I had to rush out and buy my children clothes appropriate for a beloved one’s funeral. You just never know, do you.
Know that I will take your message to heart and that yes, this is hitting home with me. No easy answers or actions, but I will do what I know how.
R.I.P. to your friend’s daughter, and peace to her loved ones.
Thank you for reading and for hearing.
Wow! Sometimes, Woman, you hit one out of the ballpark!
Thanks. Yeah, I can imagine that struck a chord.
A few years back a young friend of mine died of a heroin overdose. At his funeral his mother said “No more nights staying up late wondering where he is. I know where he is now and he is safe and happy.”. I thought it odd at the time but I now understand it. The death of M.W. has been talked about a lot in my house this week. So sad and tragic but I hope the kids realize they are not bulletproof after all.
This story was great Ashley. You always say things so well 🙂
I’ve heard that before in this kind of situation–the end is the end to everything, even the worry. But not an end to the grief. Give Tommy a hug from his old cousin.
Thought provoking piece, thoughts of peace for the family and those she knew.
This is very touching. I am sad for that young woman and her family. I hope they find the peace they need.
The first part about the shirt made me smile. We don’t wear black to funerals where I live. When my great uncle passed away, his wife of 62 years went to the mall and bought a lime green pant suit to wear to his service. My youngest sister (4 at the time) said, “I bet Uncle Max can see her from Heaven”. I’m sure Richard was smiling down on Jake and his new shirt that day 🙂
I bet you are right!
Nicely said Ashley, we all have the black dress we hope we will not need, but too often do. I’ve been devastated every since I heard the news on Sunday. Peace will be difficult to come by for the family, but I’m praying for it nonetheless.
I hope FW knows that she did everything she could.
Me, too.
Beautiful.
Thanks, Laurinda. It’s a sad day.
A deeply touching post. I was very moved. Found you on the BlogHer FB page. Condolences for a sad loss… as mothers, we all grieve, when another mother loses a child. Dawn, at Tales From the Motherland
hi, Dawn! Well, I had to subscribe to your blog when I saw 4 great books in the cover photo. You had me hooked!
Well I’m glad I put that up then! Given that I always thought I was the Baddest Mother Ever, I was happy to find you as well! 😉
Having just returned from 9 days out of the country, I’m just getting back in the groove… stick around and I’ll make it worth your while.
Thank you everyone… it’s been a long three weeks, the “finality” of it all is overwhelming, and I really do think we as humans can truly suffer from a broken heart… I know mine hurts a lot.