It fills me with dread. Every time I’m out with my mom and there’s a “Clearance” sign, I know it’s time to find a seat somewhere and wait, and wait, and wait.

My mom is the kind of shopper that doesn’t like to leave a stone unturned. But when she sees a "Clearance" sign, it's worse. Usually, she finds some items she likes and she’ll carry them around while doing her second run through. Then she’ll change her mind and put some of them back and carry around the newer picks. I have even watched her put the newer chosen pieces on the rack and go back to get what she picked up the first time. Obviously, shopping is very involved for her: not me. I go in, get what I want, and then I leave. I have always been like that. And that’s why we clash sometimes when we go shopping. My mom can’t understand how I can choose something without also looking at every other available option in that store or mall.

But there was this one time when we really clashed and it wasn’t pretty.

When I was twelve years old, my mom and my Mamaw Jo took me to a shoe store to buy me Easter shoes. I thought this would be a short and easy shopping trip since it was for me and there would be no racks hanging full of clearance items.

Boy, was I wrong.

Mom and Mamaw Jo picked out sandals. At that time, I didn’t like sandals that much. Each time I tried on a pair, mom sang, “Ooooh. Those are so pretty!” And Mamaw Jo cooed, “Well, I swannie, those are so neat.”

To which I promptly replied, “I don’t like them.”

They had me try on almost every pair of sandals the store had in stock and in my size. I could tell the salesman was getting a little aggravated and to be honest, so was I. Then I noticed a pair of white pumps on display. They had low heels with a strap that laid across the top of the foot and buckled on the other side. I tried them on. “These are the ones I want!”

A look of relief washed over the salesman's face. But my mom looked at me and said, “No. Those are little girl shoes.”

I was stunned. I finally found shoes that I liked and she didn’t agree with me. “If they are little girl shoes, then why are they in my size?”

My mom continued with her argument, “They are little girl shoes.”

I didn’t give in. “But I will be the one wearing them.”

Mom repeated her argument. This time Mamaw Jo spoke up, “They are pretty shoes. If she wants them, just get them.”

I crossed my arms and held my ground. No longer was I a small child. I was a young woman who was developing her own taste and style. “Please mom. I don’t like any of the others.”

The salesman added, “They are very popular shoes for girls her age. We have sold a lot of them.”

That did it. My mom shrugged and said, “Okay. I’ll buy them, but I don’t want to hear it when somebody makes fun of them.”

“Thank you!” I gave her a big hug. And you should’ve seen the smile on the salesman’s face. I think he was as relieved as much as I was.

During this shoe shopping scene, I was never disrespectful to my mom. You can stand up for yourself and what you believe in without being mean or disrespectful.

And if somebody is that way to you, don’t sink to their level. Take the higher ground.

“But I say unto you. That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.” Matthew 5:39 (KJV)

That Easter Sunday, I wore my new white pumps with pride. Not only did my friends not make fun of my shoes, but they all wanted a pair of them too.

After lunch, I wanted a picture of me in my new pumps and Easter dress. My dad said there was only one way to take a picture of a farm girl. As you can see in the picture, I stood on one of my papaw’s tractors. I still love this picture.