@NorcalGma2 Yes, we have stories. Life is full of them.
Add: shoes, especially when well cared for, can be therapeutic. I like to imagine my old shrink saying "Bob, why don't you skip your next session and get yourself a new pair of sneakers instead. It will cheer you up better than I can."
@NorcalGma2 As for my own stories, my mother, a Depression-era child, was addicted to bargain hunting. Instead of taking us on playdates with other children, we spent weekends crawling on the floor of outlet stores, playing with dropped shirt pins and lost pennies. "Clarence" was her euphemism for clearance. Shopping? She'd say "we're going to see Clarence."
Even when she was 96 and using a walker, she had us drive her to TJMaxx and Ross's so she could exercise her arm pushing clothes hangers on the racks of discounted merchandise.
My sister, who lived nearby, took on the job of day to day care those last few years. I was Mom's remote shopper, banker, bill-payer, and healthcare/aide procurer while I was laid up with cancer.
Again, you did good by your mother. She made it through tough times.