Mall memories

Sunday when I took Thomas back to school, I decided I would do a bit of shopping since I was five minutes from a mall.  This particular mall didn't exist until I was in college, but it had a few department stores, and I desperately needed some new pants.  I parked near Macy's and went in.  I rarely, almost never in fact, shop at department stores in malls.  However, as a child, that is exactly where my family shopped for just about everything.  Even though it was still October, the stores were already decorated for the holidays.  It brought back lovely memories.  As a child, my mother (and usually Grandma went with us) would take us to the downtown department stores.  Rike's (which eventually became Macy's) had a store window display that was magical.  Back then the big downtown department stores had restaurants high up, and eating out was always a treat!  There was also a bakery in each one, and I still remember the joy of getting to pick out the cookie we'd choose that was covered in colored sugar sprinkles.  This past Sunday, I wasn't there very long as I was delighted to quickly find some pants and be on my way home, but I sure enjoyed thinking about those memories!