If My Shoes Could Talk
The infamous former Philippine First Lady, Imelda Marcos was internationally known for her shoe collection. Well, that was an understatement. Her shoe collection was not just a shoe collection. She had 1,060 pairs of elegant and beautiful shoes! Setting politics aside, as a teenager, I would enjoy watching documentary films about Imelda Marcos because of her shoe collection. I was fascinated by the rich variety of shoes she had. I was especially drawn to her special closet in which she kept all her beautiful shoes. I would often lavish on the thought that she could afford to wear a new pair of shoes everyday for 2 years. Simply amazing!
I am embarrassed to say the least that I am jealous of her. I am a self-confessed shoe lover. My collection is not as Imeldific, as Imelda Marcos put it when referring to her extravagance. But, friends have often commented that I have quite a lot of shoes. They would often tease me, “You have to remember that you only have 2 feet!”. When my family of 4 moved, my friends came over to help us. Almost 15 years after our move, my friends still teased me of my 4 moving boxes filled with MY SHOES (while the other 3 family members had all their shoes in 1 box!). Well, I love shoes. I feel thrilled when I open the shoe closet and see how my shoes seem to be looking at me. I feel that my shoes match my mood. I feel confident and empowered because I know I have something in my feet that could confidently carry me. It just feels like I could face the day’s challenge because I know my beloved shoes are in my feet.
I don’t know if it’s just me...but sometimes I wonder what my shoes would tell me if they could talk.
If my shoes could talk, perhaps they would tell me, “May my sole and heels give you comfort as you face the challenges of life!” since I am quite particular about comfort in shoes. I often imagine my shoes cheering me up as I start my day. And, I am proud to say that they do their job quite well! Tough times might come my way, but having comfortable shoes brighten me up. I may not have a comfortable life all the time, but I can always see the brighter side of it.
If my shoes could talk, perhaps they would tell me, “Go where you think you will be a blessing to others!”. As I walk in life’s journey, I always have a choice where to take my shoes to. It never happens the other way around. My wishful thinking of my shoes talking to me might indeed happen, but they would never be able to take me to places on their own decision. Reflecting on what my shoes could have told me, I appreciate that my shoes remind me to go out of my comfort zone and bless others by even a little bit of kindness.
If my shoes could talk, perhaps they would tell me, “May these sneakers build you great memories with walking with the little great minds at work!”. Over the years of my teaching career, I have always cherished the happy conversations I have with my students on our walks to the park or to a field trip. My sneakers may wear out, but the treasured memories live on.
So, when the 5-year-old girls in my class show off their new Princess or light-up shoes to me, and say, “ My Mom got me new shoes again!”, I can’t help but smile. I looked at their Princess shoes and often wished, “If your shoes could talk, perhaps they would tell you, Go little Princess and reach for your dream!”.
If your shoes could talk, what do you think they would tell you? I would love to hear it!
Photo taken from https://www.dreamstime.com/photos-images/woman-talking-shoe-phone.html
Date: April 2, 2021
