Brilliant … But Bouncy

You Look Dashing.

Shane was getting dressed to go to a Bat Mitzvah – his first ever.

Since it is a formal occasion, he was working diligently on his attire. I found him that morning in a pair of khaki pants and beige crew neck t-shirt. I tried to say something about the colors, but he interrupted me.

“I’m not done yet,” he said. So I muttered something about shirts that have collars, and I left.

Bill found him a few minutes later. Shane was wearing a pair of black pants, a white undershirt, a sport coat – and a tie.

“This looks nice,” Bill said. “But if you’re going to wear a tie, you might need a shirt with a collar.”

Bill helped Shane a little with his outfit.

Ten minutes later, Shane came downstairs looking like he’d just stepped out of GQ Magazine. He has done his own hair for years – styles it the way he wants it. On this day, he wore it short and slicked back in the front, not a hair out of place. He was not smiling, as is usual, and looked like he might belong on the cover of that magazine.

“Wow!” I exclaimed. “You look awesome!”

“Thanks,” he said, oozing cool.

“Do your shoes fit?”

“Kind of,” he said. “They’re a little tight but I can get through the day.”

“I’m sorry,” I said. “I didn’t think about your shoes. We’ll get you some new ones before you have to wear dress shoes again.”

“Okay,” he said. He started to walk away, while I was looking at his shoes and I caught a glimpse of … white.

“Let me see your socks,” I said.

He held up his pant legs. He was wearing bright white, ankle-high sweat socks with his black dress shoes and black pants.

“No,” I said. “Let’s go find you some black dress socks.”

“What’s wrong with my socks?” he asked.

“It’s just better to have all black,” I said. So Shane went and changed his socks.

When he stepped out of the car at the synagogue, I had tears in my eyes. Shane looked so beautiful, so handsome … so adult.

“Hi Shane,” someone called.

“Oh hi Ava,” he said, turning around.

“You look dashing,” she said.

And indeed, he did. Two additional friends arrived at the same time, and patted Shane on the back as they all walked toward the synagogue.

As I drove away, I realized that I hadn’t taken a picture.

But the picture in my mind’s eye, with Shane in his stunning attire, strutting away with his friends surrounding him … that picture is priceless.