Summer is over....go get your shoes on....

Summer is officially over and school has officially begun.  We have to go back to schedules, homework, stress, and shoes.  Yes, that's right, shoes.  My boys from an early age, never wanted to wear shoes, so, as a very laid back Mom, I didn't make them.  After all, I don't wear them myself.  As the boys grew up, they continued this process of not wearing shoes.  Even to play outside.  They would play ball outside and run over sweet gum balls to grab the ball and throw it.  OUCH...They would ride their bikes and not wear shoes. 

One year my youngest, Ryan, was playing baseball on his Little League team. He was and is a gifted baseball player.  He can field any ball that comes his way.  He can hit hard.  But then it  comes time to run.  It's like time just stopped.  He runs...no wait, is he running?.....oh....yeah, he's running.....SLOWLY!!!!  So, after the game I gave him all the positive confirmation needed, and then asked, "Honey, are your shoes too small, because it looked like you were having trouble running fast?"  Remember, I would see him playing baseball out in the front yard and no problem with the running there.....He looked at me with those beautiful green/blue eyes and tooth missing, and said, "Do you think the coach would have a problem if I took my shoes off to run the bases?"......"Yes, Honey, I think the coach would have a problem with you taking your shoes off."  We still are working on the shoe issue.

I miss my sweet boys when they go back to school.  For some reason, this year wasn't as sad.  I have been helping out at their school and actually worked the day they started, so it was great being there to watch them walk the halls with their new friends. 

All in all, this year is off to a great start.  They are both happy with their teachers, friends, rules, and schedules......The only problem is ........SHOES.......

Oh life would be so grand if we could walk through life without our shoes.  To feel the coolness of the sand, the hardness of the rocks, and the softness of the carpet.  But we need protection from the ugly elements of nails, splinters, or gum.  This sounds like such a life lesson, however, today, it's not.....It is simply the pure joy of not being bound up with cloth and laces.......

Today, I must wash those wonderful shoes.  Because we forget to wear socks and they stink.  Oh well, one thing at a time. We'll tackle wearing socks another day.  Today, we are happy in our shoes............