I never expected to question my mother’s priorities—until I saw the $1,800 receipt for a designer dress. She’s 70, and all my life, she’s been practical and selfless. She raised five kids on a tight budget, sacrificing everything for us—extra shifts, worn-out coats, and never once indulging in anything extravagant.

That’s why the dress shocked me. It wasn’t for a wedding or big event—just her book club and a luncheon. Meanwhile, my son is heading to college, and every dollar matters. I’d hoped she might help with tuition, even a little. So I asked her why. She didn’t get defensive.

“Because for seventy years, I’ve been more than just a mother—but I’ve never let myself be anything else,” she said. “Now that you’re grown, I just wanted to do something for me. Something that reminded me I’m still a person.” Her words stunned me.

In my frustration, I’d forgotten the decades she’d already given. Maybe this one choice—for herself—wasn’t selfish at all. Maybe it was long overdue.