Shoes

The little boy had already made numerous trips down the hall to the lobby. It was his job to take the items no longer needed or wanted and leave them for anyone who wanted them. He would deposit whatever he had been carrying and dash away. Bric-a-brac, stacks of Tupperware, mismatched cups all found their way onto the table and ultimately into one of the many apartments as friends and neighbors helped themselves to what they could use or pass on.

His steps slowed—not that the 5 year old was tired. He slowly placed a pair of woman’s running shoes, laces loosely tied together. Turning away a sob caught in his throat. Swiping at unbidden tears he slowly walked back to the near empty apartment. It was as if the act of placing Great Grandma’s shoes on the table somehow made the whole thing final. Recalling seeing his grandmother one week ago as she lay in the casket. No, Granny didn’t need shoes anymore.

I pondered the significance of shoes…many life lessons are associated with shoes.

“Give a girl the right shoes and she can conquer the world.”

“If you want to forget your troubles—put on a tight pair of shoes”

“Cinderella—proof that a new pair of shoes can change your life”

If the shoe fits…?

Some even wax philosophical contemplating footwear.

You can tell a lot about a person by looking at their shoes

You never truly know someone til you walk a mile in their shoes.

Even Gandhi had a quote about shoes. “Three quarters of the miseries and misunderstandings in the world would finish if people were to put on the shoes of their adversaries and understood their points of view.”

And for a little boy realizing the finality of death… Granny left behind some pretty big shoes to fill.

It seemed fitting to write about shoes on a blog dedicated to the journey we are all making. Perhaps today you are thinking how much easier life would be if you only had an easier path or at least better fitting shoes. Are you waiting like Cinderella for the magic slipper and a happily ever after life? Perhaps your shoes are too tight from being stepped on at every turn. Or maybe your shoes are scuffed and worn—like your spirit and could just use a little tender care. Whatever your position in life, my friends—keep walking forward. Remember to wipe the dust from your feet before moving on leaving behind all bitterness and envy. Enjoy life, kick up your heels and dance as you live loving the journey.