Old Brown Shoe
Seemingly not newsworthy: I still have every pair of shoes I have ever purchased since the 6th grade. If not in my room at school, then my room at home. And if not there, the garage. Even if my feet haven't grown drastically since then, most pairs are not what you would call...presentable. With each march, flounce, or leap, a particular pair was taken one more step towards expiry.
Shoe-buying, for me, is one of those constant cycles. At any point, I need a pair of black flats, a pair of black heels, a pair of sneakers, a "nice" pair of flip flops (nonexistent, according to my mother). And when the standard "quota" shoe has served me well, it is replaced. The replacement shoe is the replaced with a twist. Maybe an extra stripe or a little button or bow. Same function, though.
But in addition to "the usual", there is the occasional yellow pump (to the great annoyance of my ex-coworker) or the multi-colored flat to enhance the collection. I have no quota for these curve-ball, wild card pairs and never try to replace them. You just sort of happen upon them when you aren't searching. They have you convinced you can walk on water. They are the one-of-a-kind, now-or-never, once-in-a-lifetime pairs. Those ones that, when it comes time to part, leave you with a lump in your throat that finally settles...in your stomach. Worn once in a while or frequently in a restricted period, they are the most noticed, receive the most acclaim, and well, last the longest.
While I could delve into the psychology of shoes for hours, I'm going to up the sophistication just a notch. The people in our lives are a lot like shoes (and not just because they have soul/sole). We are constantly weaving in and out of situations and experiences that require us to interact with other people. Some of them black heels -- the necessary "type" of person that you need in a specific situation. Maybe not a soul mate, but, someone with whom you can coexist. You'll share moments upon which you will look back and smile, but you will move on. You may never again interact with this person. You may share moments about which you can later reminisce. You may be reminded of this individual by another. You might not.
It follows then, that we each have a few pairs of yellow pumps and multicolored flats when it comes to interaction partners. No matter where we or they go in life, they simply cannot be replaced. Carbon copies do not exist (disregard modern mass production). A unique personality. Filling voids in our lives that only they can fill. Ones that you can't just replace at a local Target.
While they may not be the ones to accompany you as you run your errands or walk your dog, they are the ones who will slip in for a memorable occasion. The strong boots...There is something to be said about the comfort of an old shoe.
Shoe-buying, for me, is one of those constant cycles. At any point, I need a pair of black flats, a pair of black heels, a pair of sneakers, a "nice" pair of flip flops (nonexistent, according to my mother). And when the standard "quota" shoe has served me well, it is replaced. The replacement shoe is the replaced with a twist. Maybe an extra stripe or a little button or bow. Same function, though.
But in addition to "the usual", there is the occasional yellow pump (to the great annoyance of my ex-coworker) or the multi-colored flat to enhance the collection. I have no quota for these curve-ball, wild card pairs and never try to replace them. You just sort of happen upon them when you aren't searching. They have you convinced you can walk on water. They are the one-of-a-kind, now-or-never, once-in-a-lifetime pairs. Those ones that, when it comes time to part, leave you with a lump in your throat that finally settles...in your stomach. Worn once in a while or frequently in a restricted period, they are the most noticed, receive the most acclaim, and well, last the longest.
While I could delve into the psychology of shoes for hours, I'm going to up the sophistication just a notch. The people in our lives are a lot like shoes (and not just because they have soul/sole). We are constantly weaving in and out of situations and experiences that require us to interact with other people. Some of them black heels -- the necessary "type" of person that you need in a specific situation. Maybe not a soul mate, but, someone with whom you can coexist. You'll share moments upon which you will look back and smile, but you will move on. You may never again interact with this person. You may share moments about which you can later reminisce. You may be reminded of this individual by another. You might not.
It follows then, that we each have a few pairs of yellow pumps and multicolored flats when it comes to interaction partners. No matter where we or they go in life, they simply cannot be replaced. Carbon copies do not exist (disregard modern mass production). A unique personality. Filling voids in our lives that only they can fill. Ones that you can't just replace at a local Target.
While they may not be the ones to accompany you as you run your errands or walk your dog, they are the ones who will slip in for a memorable occasion. The strong boots...There is something to be said about the comfort of an old shoe.
Comments
At Indian gatherings I try to wear some really nice sandals. That's because I want pair to stand out amid the sea of Target and Kohl's brands. That's the thing about Indians -- fancy saris and jewelry, cheap shoes.