These shoes. These are no ordinary shoes. These shoes represent game changers and lifesavers in this family. Theses are shoes for change and new steps. Shoes that will take us farther and beyond. Shoes that stretch us and grow us and they just straight up made me smile today when I saw them all together. Let me explain.....
The first pair, those little black and red ones, I bought those shoes last spring. I bought them because they were one size up for my growing G and, yet, they were the same style that he has worn for several years. I bought them because they were on sale (I am a frugal girl when I can be). I bought them and I was proud of them because I was sticking with routine while preparing us for the road ahead. I bought them and then I showed them to G and he rejected them, straight up said nope. His last pair was black and white, no red. His last pair had his old insoles. No, he doesn't require insoles but after he stole Parker's expensive ones a few years ago, we got him some Dr Scholl's and cut them down to size as a compromise. He rejected them because he hates change, any change. His old pair was worn and he had the straps adjusted and the tongue pulled out. They slipped on, kind of, because they were getting small. I did what I do, I left them sitting out on display. We talked about them and said how cool they were. We showed him how everyone gets new shoes as their feet grow. We bought insoles and let him put them in there just right. We still lost. He had steadfastly refused those new shoes until this week, Sunday, to be exact. It was a lovely Sunday morning and we were running late (not a shocker at all). I, as usual, was becoming a tad frustrated over the lack of cooperation from my people and beginning to lose it a little. I may have said something like, "get in the car with or without shoes or stay home and I will let CPS know to come get you." Maybe not those exact words, but possibly close to that. G got in the car. I drove out, still lecturing, until we pulled hastily into the parking lot and we all got out. I was continuing my tirade when one of the boys complimented G's shoes and I looked down. He had on his new ones. He looked hesitantly at them and then said that he actually liked the fit. It was amazing. Simply astounding. Months of all the right things and trying so hard and when I lose it, he gets it. The best part is that he has worn those shoes all week without missing a beat. I found his old ones and threw them away, somehow mourning and celebrating our growing up at the same time. Those shoes represent change and new steps and are a cause for celebration in our world.
The next pair, the white ones, and the boot, let me tell you about those, especially that darn boot. This was our first time with the boot transition from a cast and at first it was great, then it stepped on me and, it was forgotten downstairs and, in his bed and, it was wet and dirty and yet walking on my floors and then it started smelling like a boy's foot might smell after being in a boot or cast for weeks. I began to hate the boot, maybe even loathe it. So, last week when Parker's doctor said he could go bootless, we all rejoiced. I mean it, we all literally yelled with gladness. (They love us there!) The doctor and I and Parker, we all agreed that he could still use the boot for school for this week since his walking in real shoes was a struggle at first. To be honest, this whole ordeal has been a bit of a struggle. Parker put in perspective for me a couple weeks ago. One night when we were discussing our fears, he said that one of his greatest fears was never being able to walk normal again. My mom's heart shattered. I didn't tell him, but it was mine too. Two foot surgeries and one year of hoping and praying and pushing and trusting and doubting and then hoping again, that we had made the right choice, that it really would be ok, that it was all worth it. Those white high tops tell the ending...it's all good! He is back to walking, albeit a little slowly and with a slight limp, but we are seeing major strides and expect a full and quick recovery. Being at the end of this long journey is such a relief and such a praise. Seeing him feel confident and strong about something that could have turned out differently warms me and blesses me beyond belief. I love those shoes and I will keep that boot for always (after I febreeze the heck out of it). It will always remind us of where we've been and that God has many places left for us to go. Those shoes will follow in the plans and purposes that we trust in for every single day.
Lastly, my shoes. These are the lifesavers. You might wonder how unless you know my daily routine. If you know me you know that those shoes, although I've only had them a couple months, have already traveled many miles. They help me walk out my anxiety. They take me wherever I am headed while I listen to sermons or worship music as loud as my earbuds will allow. They run around town or my little neighborhood with friends or by myself but they always bring me back better. Those shoes have known sunshine and rain. They have witnessed a couple of tears and many, many laughs. They have heard my whispered prayers and my deep and personal praises. They have walked the dog and jogged with Carter and even did some trick or treating. Those shoes represent thriving, not just surviving, through all of life's ups and downs. When I need a break, they take me out the door and, when I'm all done and feeling refreshed, they bring me home again. They help me have life and live it abundantly, like a lifesaver to a mom's soul.
These shoes, as I hope you now understand, are much more than they seem. They each tell a story, our story and they take us from where we were, to wherever we are headed. I love these shoes today and what they represent for our tomorrows.
