Saturday, May 7, 2011

The Foot Files, from Sole to Soul: A Mile In My Shoes.



I saw this picture on a blog this week and it literally caused me to stop in my tracks.

You see I'm a little bit of a complainer. I just didn't realise how much I complained. And all of this complaining in one week. And all of this complaining about shoes.

First, I complained about the pile of shoes that greet me every morning when I come downstairs and everytime I walk through the front door of my home. Hardly inviting is it?


Welcome to the Spalls...

Secondly, I got all upset because my son needed a shoebox for a diorama project at school. Of the four shoe boxes I had at home, none were suitable so I had to modify one (it took a pair of scissors, some glue and approximately 5 minutes of my day, but boy did I complain about it!)

Then, I was irritated at the fact that I've worn a hole in my favourite pair of black flats and can't find anything even  remotely close to being as comfortable or as cute as these shoes are.


Loved these shoes...wished I bought two pairs.

Then, my son came to the mall with me (for Mother's Day) and spent his time at the Apple Store, while I walked around and around  looking for shoes by myself (Happy Mother's Day Elaine!!!)

To make matters worse, I left the mall without any shoes because, out of the two pairs I actually liked,  I couldn't decide which ones to buy.

I'm also still a bit upset that I haven't been able to wear my running shoes that I got for Christmas, because it's been too wet and rainy and I don't want them to get muddy.


I just know my new shoes will make me faster...

I'm running the Mississaua Half Marathon next weekend and I'm trying for a personal best and my old shoes sometimes give me shin splints. Have you ever tried running 13 miles with shin splints?

Whine whine whine...complain complain complain...

STOP

Then I remembered the picture. I wonder how much she complains...

I wonder if she complains about all the "shoes" littering the dirt floor of her home?

I wonder if she has anything of value. Would it even fit into four shoeboxes. One box?

I wonder what choice she has when she wears a hole in her favourite shoes? Does she go barefoot?

I wonder which pair of "shoes" would look cuter on her feet. Dasani or Aquafina?

I wonder if she worries about getting mud on her shoes?

I wonder what's her personal best time shuffling around in those shoes trying to get food or water for her family?

Silence

. Sometimes there are no words.

All I can do is offer up a tearful prayer for a faceless, shoeless, perhaps even homeless woman. I ask that God will send someone along to bless her from the top of her head, to the soles of her feet. And also I say a prayer of thankfulness. I thank God that I don't have to walk or run a mile in her shoes.








For more on the Foot Files click here






9 comments:

Brian Miller said...

rather humbling eh...it is a powerful picture as i can not imagine that being all that comfortable but i bet they are happy to wear them...wow...rocked my night...

Ruthie said...

We are just so entitled, aren't we? Man, good point.

life or something like it said...

reality check.
what a powerful picture, a powerful word.

Belinda Munoz said...

Wow, stopped me in my tracks, too. And your post is written so wonderfully to complement the weight of her "shoes".

You've given me something profound on which to meditate today. Thanks.

Kati patrianoceu said...

What a great comparison! Yes it hits close to home, especially the way you described it.

Joybird said...

Nailed me.

SL Burlhis said...

So convicting. Thank you for writing this.

Sheila said...

oh, this one literally gave me chills, esp. the last line about walking a mile in her shoes. Very humbling, Elaine. Sounds like it was just what you needed at the time - I enjoyed your gratitude at the end.

Mommy Emily said...

oh elaine... thank you for this. it stopped me in my tracks too. i pray i can remember this photo, and stop complaining too. we have so much, don't we??

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