THE WEDDING GOWN

My mother was a wonderful seamstress; and for my sister’s wedding, she lovingly made her wedding dress. Mother took pains-taking care of every seam and every stitch on the gown. She had worked on it day and night in order to get it finished in time. Eight little hand-covered buttons were sewn down the lower arm to the wrist. The dress was very elegant—something that Audrey Hepburn would surely wear.
One day, my sister was trying on the nearly-finished gown to make sure everything fit perfectly. And while Mother took a tuck here and a tuck there, I stood back and admired how lovely my sister looked in the satin dress. Without knowing it, I had pricked my finger on a pin and then touched the dress on the sleeve by the buttons. Oh, goodness, a drop of blood fell onto the sleeve. I was in shock. I thought I had ruined the entire wedding dress. For a few seconds, I did not know what to do, and my stomach started to churn, but I finally decided that it was best to tell my mother what had happened. She quickly dabbed at the satin cloth and got the entire stain out. I was relieved. Both my mother and sister went on about their business of altering the dress. I was afraid that I was in trouble, but they never said a word. I almost started to cry not because of what I had done but how my mother and sister had reacted to it. It is amazing how powerful kindness can be. My mother knew the value of remaining calm in difficult circumstances. I have always appreciated her hallmark quality of kindness. She was always a wonderful example to me.