11/02/2007

Mother Willie Mae Colbert walked into Udetta's with two of her daughters. They wanted to buy her a suit for Easter, despite Mother Colbert's objection. Mother did not see the need to spend so much money on a suit that she would probably only wear once. Mother Colbert was going to turn 90 years-old on Sunday, so her whole family was going to attend church with her. Her two daughters that lived in the city of Jouette had decided to buy her an outfit for the Sunday service. The whole Colbert family was coming together to celebrate the seasoned woman's birthday.

Mother Colbert was not sure how much longer she wanted to be on this earth. She had lived long enough and seen enough to last three lifetimes. Mother Colbert had raised 10 children, and helped raise 38 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. Her life had been full and she was ready to go home to be with the Lord. Her family wanted her to live longer, but Mother Colbert was tired. She no longer wanted to be tied down to this world.

Mrs. Udetta walked over to Mother Colbert. The two ladies greeted each other with a hug and kiss. They knew each other from church. "You are looking good, Mother Colbert," Mrs. Udetta said. Mother Colbert smiled and in her quiet voice responded, "Thank you baby. I am truly blessed." Mother Colbert paused for a few seconds and then said, "My daughters have drugged me to this store, trying to buy me a dress. You know how I feel about spending money on frivolous things." Mrs. Udetta laughed, "I hear you Mother. Do you want a black or silver dress?" Mother Colbert shook her head, "I want a black dress, but I am sure that my daughters will want a flashier color. Do I look like I want to wear a color other than black?" Mrs. Udetta laughed and headed for the store room to get the dresses for Mother Colbert.

Mother Colbert's oldest daughter walked over to her with a suit in her hands, "Mama, this suit would be perfect on you." The daughter held the dress up in front of her mother. Mother Colbert shook her head. The red suit was full of sequins and too flashy for Mother Colbert's taste. The elderly lady frowned, "Shelia, girl, you know this is too gaudy for me. What am I gonna look like in this thang on Sunday morning, walking in church. Folk will be looking at me like crazy." Mother Colbert's daughter laughed before she said, "Mama, you are crazy. Everyone would be looking at you and saying how beautiful you look." Mother Colbert rubbed her daughter's cheek, "Baby, please. Give me a black dress and some pearls. I am happy then." The mature woman's daughter smiled and said, "Mama, you wear pearls with everything." Mother Colbert laughed at her daughter.

Mrs. Udetta walked out of the back of the store with four black dresses in her hands. She walked over to Mother Colbert and showed her the dress. Mother Colbert picked out one of the dresses and handed it to her daughter. Her daughter looked at the dress, "Mama, this dress is too plain. Why do not you pick out one of the dresses that we picked out for you?" Mother Colbert made a face and then said, "I do not want any of those dresses. I want this one," she pointed to the dress that she had picked out. Her daughter was about to argue with her, when Mother Colbert said, "My mind is made up. I am almost 90 years old. I am still in my right mind and I can pick out my own clothes. I want the black dress. Either you buy that one for me or we will walk out of this store!" Mrs. Udetta frowned. She knew that Mother Colbert would walk out of the store without hesitation. Mrs. Udetta didn't want her record to be broken.

Mother Colbert's daughters knew better than to argue with their mother when she said that her mind was made up. The two ladies walked their mother over to the cashier's station and bought her the dress. Mother Colbert walked out of Udetta's humming a sweet song, glad that the good Lord had allowed her to live so long.

Mrs. Udetta smiled. Her record was still in tact. Every person who walked into her store always walked out with a purchase in hand.