THOSE SHOES
by Stephen Jeffres
This is not a Christmas story but it could be. Instead of being about those red Christmas shoes, it is just about those shoes. You remember those shoes that we think we need as a child or even as an adult.
It was a busy day at Changing Footprints Shoe Pantry in Greenfield. A family came in to "shop" for shoes for back to school.
I took the two boys into the mens shoe room, hoping they would find something they liked.
The first boy found the perfect shoe. He was thrilled. His younger brother was not so lucky.
I soon realized he was not looking fot just any shoe. He wanted "Air Jordons". I mentioned that they were rarely donated but told him to keep looking.
I went on to another client in the other room when the young fellow came running In with a pair of Air Jordons. He exclaimed " Yippie I'm a Millionair" He was so happy!!! I congratulated him and went on to help someome else find their special shoe.
When his family finally went home, he was sad again. The prize shoes did not fit. So he left our shop
with a big frown and no Air Jordans.
A week later he came back to help pick up his big brother who had volunteered that day. I remembered his love for name brand, expensive shoes.
I sat him down at the table
and ask him to read a new book i found. The book intitled "Those Shoes" was about a small boy who wanted new shoes to help him fit in at school.
His grandma finally pieced together enough to buy the shoes, only to have him give them to a teammate who he felt needed them more than he did. It was no shock to have this story make me cry. After all that is pretty much what Changing Footprints is all about in it mission and message. He read the story
and spoon ask if he could look again for shoes.
Later i was back sorting shoes when again this small boy came running in yelling "I found "those" shoes" .He had finally found his Air Jordons and he was so excited that this time they were his size.
Later as i walked his family to their car, I encouraged this lad, to think about not being so hung up on brand names, especially expensive name brands. I reminded him of children who were attached and often hurt because they wore expensive shoes.
He sheepishly looked up at me and told me how this one boy at school bullys him if he dosn't have the "right" shoes. Often he was frightened to go to class.
Suddenly I saw this kids
desire for "those shoes",
in a different light. It reminded me of some of
my grade school memories.
We all have wants and needs. Child or adult, we have to decide what and why our needs are important. I thought I understood this young boys quest fo"those shoes" , but life is complicated.
I am thankful and very blessed to play a small part in helping children and adults find "those shoes".
Most people sometimes take shoes for granted.
But it dose not mattet if you live in a place where
not having proper footwear to protect your feet is a life and death issue, or if the shoes you wear effect your mental health and self esteem. Getting "THOSE SHOES"
on feet is the number one misson of Changing Footprints.
Since we continue to be an all volunteer organization,
the value and worth of our volunteers is priceless. We
thank our voluteers for continueing to help us "CHANGE THE WORLD TWO FEET AT A TIME".
On behalf of Deb Cherry and myself, we wish.you amd your family a very
MERRY CHRISTMAS.AND A
A "SHOEPER" NEW YEAR!!!
