This belt never did fit my waist. It was a classic 80’s eye catcher fit for the fashion of the Solid Gold dance floor. Black leather, blinged out with both gold and silver. My friend Taschka’s mother Charlotte gave it to me one day while visiting their Venice bohemian home. I accepted the gift graciously, not used to receiving presents from friends’ parents, especially those I just met. I always thought my waist would get thin enough to fit into this belt, and so I kept it.
As time passed, I would admire Charlotte’s faith in Taschka’s creativity. She funded her rent money, designer furniture, but most importantly her dreams of being a fashion designer and photographer.
In her 40’s, Charlotte was passionate, strong., and outspoken like her daughter. We were all shocked when cancer attacked her body, claiming her life within several months of arrival. I was out of the country and never got to visit her in the hospital or funeral home to say good-bye and thank her for the belt.
Years later I’ve kept the belt, no longer hoping to fit in it, but to return it to Taschka. I’ve brought it up in conversation, vowing to return it to her. She negates saying, “it was my mother’s gift to you.”
And so it continues to sit in a box along with my other belts, shining like it’s original owner. I know it’s still only on loan. And when the time is right to return it to Taschka, she will see Charlotte’s love and faith smiling back in classy, flashy silver and gold.
No comments:
Post a Comment