My mother adored Elizabeth Tyler. To her, Tyler was the definition of perfection; Tyler explained perfectly how to be a woman. Mother had a complete collection of Tyler’s films. She was excited to announce Tyler’s latest news every time she got any. I still remember the sorrow in her eyes when Tyler’s death was publicized on the TV. I happened to be with her that night and mom went to bed earlier than usual.
Tyler was an extraordinary woman, so is my mother. Mom knows how to dress herself. Tyler once underlined the importance of scarves in a woman’s life and then we saw the display of various scarves around my mother’s neck. Mom was not simply copying; she mixed her own taste and created something new. She casually chose a silk scarf to match the blue jeans and white T-shirt. For a time I thought I was attending run way show. Thanks to her, my sister and I got influenced and learned the first lesson of accessorizing from my mother.
Like Tyler, mom also got divorced but she did not give up on love. Mom is a tough woman just like Tyler. The world of romance is filled with uncertainties, but both of them have managed to pull it through.
I moved out after I grew up, building my own life in a city far away from home. But I did not forget to send mom gifts on mother’s day.
I am not an expert picking a gift, neither are my friends. I have gifts piled up in my closet, funny hat, socks, shoes and clothes. My friends always give me what they consider to be pragmatic but these gifts always end up being abandoned in the darkest corner of the closet.
Having learned the lesson from my friends, I somehow developed my acute skill in presenting the best gift to my mother. Anything relating to Tyler is sure enough to make my mother smile. Over the years I have bought countless T-Shirts with Tyler on it and mom loved all of them. This year is different; the idol she adored has passed by and it was a setback to her. Luckily, I knew how to cheer her up.
I selected a framed picture of Tyler’s and had it wrapped in a quadrate silk scarf. Tyler was just as elegant and charming as she always was. The almighty time could not do anything to her appearance. Her graceful bearing and comforting smile would certainly revive my mother’s faith in herself and the days ahead.
My Mother’s Idol