My Red Shoes
by Kym on September 4, 2007
I love my red shoes. I remember Neil laughing at me when I bought them. Smart alecky remarks about Dorothy may have been made. Shortly thereafter I began to doubt. With what, I asked myself (because I’m odd like that) could I wear my new red shoes? The answer soon came. With everything.
I wore them as we wandered around my Mother-in-Law’s golf course, picking up pine cones after a nasty storm. I accidentally on purpose left them on when puttering around inside the house, refusing to go barefoot over the tobacco stained floor. I winced at every squeak of the floorboards in that tiny, ramshackle house, anxious lest I wake Becca, who slept fitfully in the musty basement below. They were slicked over with early morning dew as I wandered around the golf course compound, snapping pictures of the decaying outbuildings and rusting cars adorning the place.
They pressed up hard against the gas pedal as I made the journey to visit my Grampy, putting on speed to counteract the rapidly encroaching drowsiness brought on by sleepless, nightmare haunted nights. Slight scuffing sounds were heard as they dug, toe first, against the linoleum of the hospital room floor, bearing witness to the overwhelming awkwardness and sorrow of that final goodbye.
And they returned me here, home, to reflect on all that I experienced this weekend. They rest now, next to the door, a brief reprieve from the chaos of the outside world. I sit here, ensconced in sweet comfort and at peace.
28 comments
So ruby slippers do bring you home.
Very well written and poignent post.
by Anna Maria Junus on September 4, 2007 at 8:42 pm. #
Cute shoes, amazing post.
by Cate on September 4, 2007 at 8:59 pm. #
Those are adorable shoes. I love them.
And you, my dear, are a writer. Yes. A writer.
by Inkling on September 4, 2007 at 9:10 pm. #
I LOVE your shoes! And I’m glad you have peace.
by JustRandi on September 4, 2007 at 9:23 pm. #
inkling and I must share a brain… the shoes are fantastically cute and… you should write a book. Cause you’ve got a knack for it my friend!
by Melissa on September 4, 2007 at 10:39 pm. #
Totally cute shoes! I can only imagine that they give you a happy little smile when you down upon them. :) It’s fun to have happy little things like that, I’m glad you have them!
by Deanne on September 4, 2007 at 10:48 pm. #
What a way with words you have today…
by Dapoppins on September 4, 2007 at 10:55 pm. #
Contemplative suits you my dear, and so do those shoes.
by Heffalump on September 4, 2007 at 11:05 pm. #
Those are some way stinkin’ cute shoes!! And what do men know about shoes, anyway? Give ‘em a pair of sneakers and they think they own the world!
by Tristi Pinkston on September 4, 2007 at 11:38 pm. #
I love your shoes, and even more so this post. Write on, sister!
by FarmWife on September 4, 2007 at 11:54 pm. #
kimmy:
glad you are back, missed you.
you wrote this post like you are writing a portion of a novel. i feel a sense of peace just being emmersed in your words for that brief moment. welcome back friend, kathleen
ps. and you are making up cute words to make me smile just a little.
skinnyifying
by so grateful to be Mormon! on September 5, 2007 at 12:32 am. #
Great shoes!!
*hug*
by Thalia's Child on September 5, 2007 at 1:58 am. #
I love the way the ribbons go all the way around – like those little string lacing toys we used to play with in church.
Beautiful post. Nicely understated and sincere. I’m so sorry about your Grampy.
by Julie Q. on September 5, 2007 at 2:39 am. #
So glad to hear from you again! Beautiflu post as always and that new profile picture? HOT!!!
by Amber on September 5, 2007 at 2:46 am. #
Beautiful post.
by Lisa on September 5, 2007 at 3:23 am. #
“There’s no place like home” I love those shoes. Your post today was great. When does the book come out? I want to get mine autographed:o)
by Tonya on September 5, 2007 at 4:10 am. #
If they bring you peace and comfort, then who cares what anyone else thinks!
Welcome home … and I am so sorry about your Grandpa!
by An Ordinary Mom on September 5, 2007 at 4:10 am. #
those shoes are quite amazing- or is it their owner who inspires them
by Jean Knee on September 5, 2007 at 2:32 pm. #
So sorry about your Grampy.
by Summer on September 5, 2007 at 4:04 pm. #
Welcome home Kim. I’m sorry about your Grandpa. :(
by Laine on September 5, 2007 at 5:01 pm. #
I have tried to comment before, and I don’t know why but I couldn’t find where to comment the last time I tried!
I read that you were reluctant to see your Grandfather, but I’m so glad you did. That goodbye is very hard – I’ve said it to my own grandfather – but I am grateful I had the opportunity to do so.
Very cute shoes!
by Annie on September 5, 2007 at 7:34 pm. #
We’re glad to have you back! Love the shoes. I want to get a fun & funky pair of shoes for the fall. I think each season deserves a new pair of shoes.
by Chris on September 6, 2007 at 2:12 am. #
The onyl story my favorite Croc shoes tell is one of overpowering foot odor.
by elasticwaistbandlady on September 6, 2007 at 2:26 am. #
I used to have a pair of red shoes when I was five. I wore them everywhere and I LOVED them. And oddly enough, they look to be about the same size as your Wonder Shoes. Have you the tiniest feet in the world, or is it just the picture?
by wynne on September 6, 2007 at 5:05 am. #
So sweet.
Now I have “The Angels Wanna Wear My Red Shoes,” by Elvis Costello, stuck in my head. Of course, that’s my cell phone’s default ringtone, so that’s not as uncommon as it might otherwise be.
by Luisa Perkins on September 6, 2007 at 3:59 pm. #
Fabulous shoes. Fabulous pics in general. Fabulous story. Fabulous to have you back.
by M on September 6, 2007 at 4:19 pm. #
How are the shoes today? I just had to check on them. Maybe you need to put them on and take them out for ice cream.
by Dapoppins on September 7, 2007 at 5:12 pm. #
Where did you get those shoes! I’ve been looking for cute red ballet slippers because you know they go with everything, but when I finally did find a pair, they only had a pair a size too small. I walked around the store for a few minutes and the felt find that’s always a guarantee they’ll be fine in the long run. Two blisters and a busted heel later, I gave them to my sister.
by annalisa on September 13, 2007 at 4:44 am. #