Books by the old Leather Chair

  • Snow In The Summer
  • My Bible
  • The Power of Silence
  • What Comes Next and to Like It
  • Encore Provence
  • A Year in Provence

Monday, December 22, 2008

The Shoes

Arriving home from school she saw the box. There was usually a box about once a year. Her grandmother would send them.
Hand me down clothes that she was thrilled to wear. They were usually much nicer then what mom could buy. Or rather more expensive.
She spotted the shoes. Oh they were beautiful. She would usually have a pair of shoes purchased for her once a year. Such a narrow foot and only some kind of not very pretty oxford that laced up. Oh these shoes were beautiful. She tried them on and they were a little big but that did not matter. She stuffed paper in the toes and proudly wore them to school the next day.
She was so proud of them. The first comment from a classmate "those shoes are too big for you." She quickly replied "oh no - they fit just fine." She kept a smile on her face throughout the school day.
But the comment saddened her, she cried all the way home from school that day and never wore the shoes again.

10 comments:

lilalia said...

My daughter received the same sort of small-hearted comment about a pair os paints she picked out on her very own. She cried when she came home from school and never wore the pants again, no matter how I pleaded with her. I sure hope the little girl found new shoes in her life that made her feel as if she was on top of the world.

Liza on Maui said...

The power of "words" ... Great little parable to illustrate this truth. A nice reminder for us to use our words wisely.

kenju said...

So sad. The best gift ever would be to no longer care about what small-minded people say,

Lonely Rivers said...

Isn't it amazing how those tiny moments stay with us forever? An offhand remark can mark an experience and bruise a spirit. Thanks for sharing!

One Woman's Journey - a journal being written from Woodhaven - her cottage in the woods. said...

lilalia, liza, kenju and lonely rivers - children can be so honest with their remarks that they are sometimes cruel. On the other hand, children are very sensitive. so with time may be all of us are more careful with our words.
thanks for your comments.

Judy said...

I tried to teach my children to never say hateful or bad things to other people. Of course, one does not know what they do when we are not around. Children can be so mean sometimes. I hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday.

One Woman's Journey - a journal being written from Woodhaven - her cottage in the woods. said...

Judy, children are just honest and do not think before they speak.
Have a great day. Thank you for your special friendship.

MsGraysea said...

A lesson in kindness and empathy for us all. Thank you for sharing that story. You write so beautifully.

Wishing you and your family a beautiful Christmas.

Peace, joy and continuing pursuit of your dream in the country in 2009!

Marcia

Sky said...

i understand. too many unthinking mouths utter words which cut us to the bone. i wish we understood in our pained youth how little those words really matter in the bigger scheme of life.

One Woman's Journey - a journal being written from Woodhaven - her cottage in the woods. said...

Marcia and Sky, Good morning to you and thank you for checking in.
Have a great day.