A practical woman, Ma watched not only dollars, but also her pennies. Pa was a tailor with a growing real estate business on the side, and provided a decent income. But coming from a poor background, Ma watched her expenses.

We four boys were of varying sizes, but it was essential in Ma's plan that we wore hand-me-downs. Third in line, I wore what my older brothers outgrew. The fit, the color or the style wasn't always perfect, but what did I know?

Ma came from a long line of shoemakers (all the Dunns were involved with shoes). Just as insistent as she was with hand-me-down clothes, she was equally insistent that we each get our own new shoes. We got our sturdy practical shoes just before Rosh Hashanah, to hopefully last a year.

When I entered the US Navy, I found that my shoes were two sizes too long. To this day, I walk somewhat awkwardly because of those oversize shoes!

Home we went, my brothers and I, to try on the hand-me-down clothes. With some adjustment and Pa's tailoring, we were set for the holidays.

I think back on my post-service days, leaving for professional school with one suitcase, in which were hand-me-down pants, shirts and with a suit given by my oldest brother and altered by Pa. I was 6"2' at that time, and Sam was 5'9," so it needed lots of alteration! But I always got my own shoes.

I recall, as we Sherer boys, in our ill-begotten finery, walked to synagogue on Rosh Hashanah, clip-clopping our way, in new shoes!

I think back to those days with a smile. Eunie (z"l) and I also bought shoes for our children just before Rosh Hashanah (coinciding with a new school year), hopefully with better fit!

And you know what? "Swartz and Levison" is no longer, hand-me-downs are gone, but I still buy my new shoes just before Rosh Hashanah.

Chag Sameach and Gut Yontif!