Dressed Like A Clown

I was excited.  It was my first year at the summer playground and they were having a costume contest.  The first place prize was a blue ribbon, certificate and a large bag of candy.  I wanted to win that prize and I knew I could.  You see, a few days leading up to the contest I overheard the other kids talking about what costume they were going to wear.  And none of them were going to dress up like Batman.  This win was in the bag!  

Pre-Planning

I had mentioned my costume choice to my mother when I heard about the contest.  I had seen it in the Sears and Roebuck catalog, circled it, and gave it to her nearly three weeks prior to event.  It would have to arrive this very day in the mail so, before the afternoon had ticked completely away, I said goodbye to my friends at Oak Knoll park and headed home.  My family didn’t live in the greatest area of town.  In fact, our house was situated next door to a bar.  But while it was a low income neighborhood, we all knew each other, and no one bothered me.  Everyone knew me, my two brothers and all of my sisters.  And of course they knew my mother, a single parent who cleaned homes and washed dishes at a diner to feed of us.  

When I arrived home, I jumped up the steps,  and ran into the house.  My mother was upstairs getting ready to go to work, so I headed straight away to her room. “Mama,” I called out, jumping her bed, “Did my package come today?”

She gave me a puzzled look and asked, “What package?”

Of course I knew at that moment that she hadn’t ordered it, but out of respect, I answered, “My costume from Sears and Roebuck.  The one that I circled and gave to you.” I was just moments away from tears, but I marshaled on.  

Change of Plans

“Honey,” she said, and came over to me and gave me a hug, “we can’t afford anything from the catalog.  I thought maybe I could find some things around here to make you a costume.”

I was disappointed, but my mother worked hard.  She did the very best she could.  And it was difficult for her to raise all of us by herself.  And through her efforts, we didn’t go hungry or without clothing and shoes.  So, though sad, I sucked it up and agreed because I trusted my mother.  

The next morning I jumped up from bed.  I had no idea what kind of idea my mother came up with and it didn’t matter to me.  So, I hurried downstairs and found her in the kitchen.  “I thought I would go into work a little late today,” she said.   “I wanted to help you get ready for your contest.”

Dressed Like a Clown

“What am I going as?” I asked and before the last word came out of my mouth she said, “A clown.”

She did her very best that morning, dressing me in oversized overalls meant for my oldest brother. She had found some men’s shoes – I had no idea where they came from – and stuffed the toes with paper so that they would fit.   And she used makeup and lipstick to fix up my face – I did indeed look like a clown.   I have to admit, I wasn’t thrilled with the presentation, but at least I had a costume.  And since none of my friends knew what I was going to dress as, I wouldn’t be shamed by them.   

It was Saturday morning when I headed out the door to the park.  And probably while not the case, it seemed that everyone in the neighborhood was out that day.  And they all had their laugh as I walked passed their homes dressed like I had just left the circus.  I took a lot of teasing that day from the good folk of the neighborhood.  They laughed and called me “Bozo” and all sorts of names.  And when I returned, on the way back to my house, they did the same.  Every embarrassing name associated with a clown – they called me. But it didn’t matter to me because my mother had dressed me like a clown. And because of that, I got to bring home a blue ribbon.  And a big bag of candy.  

Trust and Believe in Those Around You

Sometimes things don’t pan out like you want.  You might not have the resources to do what you want to do.  People my ridicule and scorn your ideas.  And that won’t matter because if believe in yourself, have a good people in your life and you trust them, they’ll help you come up with alternatives  and see you through to the finish line.  And while initially, you might not be happy with the presentation they’ve prepared, believe me, you’ll thank them later when you are giving your victory speech!