B a b y F a v o r i t e: depression

Let me preface this by saying I live in a town of under 30,000 people. Most would say, "That's not a town--it's a city!"... but let me tell you, it's a town. It's got a small town feel because we are isolated to an extreme. Where isolated equals not even a rest stop for 90 miles in any direction. Thousands of us work at the same place (a naval base), most of us know each other or are related in some strange (and, occasionally, not-so-strange) way. A friend of mine used to say, "There aren't many branches on our town's family tree!" which, really, sums it up perfectly. In fact, when I got divorced, I found I had many of the same mutual friends in Marriage #2 that I'd had in Marriage #1. I just had changed spouses.

My point of all of this is that we have exactly three places to buy clothes, in our pathetic little town: K-mart, Wal-mart, and Mervyn's. The last being the most desirable, for obvious reasons. But now? After 18 years of being in business here? Mervyn's is C-L-O-S-I-N-G. The company has filed bankruptcy and they are closing all 149 stores.

Mervyn's and I have grown up together. When I broke off an engagement to my fiance at 20 years old, I celebrated by buying a beautiful blue topaz & diamond ring at Mervyn's. They had just opened, and I'd found a new true love. With THEM. My fiance? Not so much. We'd grown apart. But Mervyn's and I were getting close. I think, soon after, we might've even made it to second base.

When I fell in love a third time (FOCUS, people, focus! To recap: #1 Fiance; #2 Mervyn's; #3 First Husband), Mervyn's had a big jewelry sale where we could get an engagement ring at 70% off. They were opening the store up early, just for that sale, and would begin passing out numbers to prospective jewelry customers as early as 6:00 a.m. Doug wanted so badly to get the first ticket that he got there before 5:00 a.m. I'm not sure it was worth it, after having to listen to, "I'm #1!" over and over, in the weeks following. But? I'd gotten my ring, bottom line. Mervyn's had been there for me, once again.

When I had Baby #1 in 1995, Mervyn's gave me an amazing selection of clothes from which to choose. Not only did they have a great selection, but their clearance prices were unfreakingbelievable. I specifically remember paying $.98 for quite a few t-shirts and shorts in Chad's toddler wardrobe--while still in season. They were a lifesaver!

And, as you can imagine, the story goes on. They have been there through good and bad, thick and thin, sicker and poorer. Mostly poorer (thanks to them). One time, my husband and his friend drove past, and his friend asked, "I wonder what keeps that store open?" My husband answered: "My WIFE."

And now? Joe & I have a few rough months where he goes on disability with a bad back, and I can't shop as much as usual, and YOU SEE WHAT HAPPENS??????!!!!! I'm holding my husband's back personally responsible for their demise.

I can't believe Mervyn's "OPEN*OPEN*OPEN" commercials will be no more. No more $2-$-4-$6 Clearance Sales, no more Wednesday Super Sales, no more Black Friday sales. No more sponsoring disadvantaged children with their wonderful Child Spree, every August. No more Mervyn's.