The morning sunlight is creeping through the door. I hear the scrambling of little feet getting ready for the day. I hold my breath and listen for the dreaded words from Mama: “Hurry sweetie! Find your Crocs so we can go!” Those dirty, pink crocs. They’re always bragging about what an adventurous life they lead – climbing the tallest slide, swinging high into the air, dancing, yardwork, washing the car. Whenever they start their bragging session, I just hold my tongue. We all know that no matter how comfy and easy they are to put on, Crocs don’t end up in pictures that go out in Christmas cards or blown up and framed for eternity on the family room wall. No, that honor is reserved for special shoes. Shoes like pink cowgirl boots.
It gets a little competitive in the closet, but you can’t blame us. We are, after all, size seven girl’s toddler shoes. We know we have a short life. Any day now Mama is going to box us up and then we’ll get shipped off to a cousin’s house or a thrift store. We know our days with her are limited. We want as many adventures as we can get.
My little friend flings open the closet door and in the blinding morning light I see the pink corduroy skirt. Excitement fills my sole. She always wears us with the pink corduroy skirt. Mama loves how we look with that outfit. She grins and grabs us off the floor. Zip! Zip! “Mama, I put my pink boots on ALL BY MYSELF!!” I manage a quick smirk at the Crocs before the closet door closes. She even got us on the right feet.
We dance down the hallway passing the little brother. I nod at the brown Sketchers. I was hoping to see his cowboy boots today, but maybe we can rendezvous later while the siblings empty everything out of his closet, as they are bound to do in a day that ends in “y.”
Mama is rushing around looking for the keys and cell phone. I look for clues as to where we are headed today. Doctor’s office? Dentist? Grocery store? Playground? Play date? I do love going shopping. My little friend swings us happily up and down as we zig zag through the aisles. Everyone stops to look at us, especially the older ladies. Oh how I love the complements. “OOOOHHH Look at you little honey! You are so adorable!! And those BOOTS! I wish I had a pair!” I straighten myself up a little taller. Naturally, all the women wonder if we come in their size too.
Finally we are headed outside. I see clouds on the horizon, and I hope it doesn’t rain. As much as I love my little friend, I really don’t like playing in puddles. I prefer dancing in the grass, viewing the world from the top of the slide, feeling the breeze as we swing, and sharing tales of our adventures while piled with other little shoes by the front door of a friend’s house.
But if we end up in a puddle today, I won’t complain. I’m making every day count with her. I hope that long after I’m gone she’ll cherish the memories we made with her and that she’ll remember how great she felt while wearing her pink cowgirl boots. And of course, she’ll always have that picture on the wall to remind her of us.
**This post is my very first entry for Scribbit’s monthly Write-Away-Contest. Scribbit is a fabulous motherhood blog that is more like an online magazine. Be sure to check her out, I’m sure you’ll fall in love as I have!
Holy Cow Story Girl…that is great! I’ll have to check out this online site. You are soooo talented in so many ways!
What a cute and fun perspective! I’ll have to check out the blog as well.
Lovely entry–I love the thought of pink cowboy boots–now there’s personality.
Thank you all! Godzgal & Jennifer, you will really enjoy Scribbit. She offers all kinds of great motherhood tips and crafts and recipes!
Thank you, Scribbit! Those boots really do have a personality of their own!
Whew, it took me a while to figure out how to login to leave a comment. =)
I loved the interesting angle in which this was written, and I liked the idea of enjoying and savoring each moment because you do not know how long it will last. Thank you for the lovely tale. You really have a talent.
Way to go babe! You’re pretty much awesome.
Sorry about that, Ice Cream! I think I have that fixed. Or rather, the Narrator fixed it…I’m technology ignorant! Thank you so much for the kind words about my story! I had a lot of fun writing it. Thanks for all your hard work judging this month!
Thanks, Narrator – you ROCK! Thanks for helping me with the buttons and stuff today!
Great story! I love the point of view. Congrats on winning!
Congrats Girl!!! Amazing story! I loved your take on the “shoes” topic!! You are a talent indeed 🙂 I will be checking out your other stories as well! I am also in hot, sticky Florida! So we might be neighbors :-)!!
Thank you for stopping by, Amanda!
Gabrielle, thank you too, fellow Floridian! We could be neighbors, huh? 🙂
No wonder this entry won first place. This is an utterly fabulous post! I love it! You definitely have a talent for writing. Keep it up!
definitely worth the win. it was marvelous.
Love it! Shoes really do have personality.
That was DELIGHTFUL to read. Your talents never cease to amaze me, friend! Pink Cowboy boots’ baby sister doesn’t have nearly enough adventures over at our place. She had a lot of fun up in Canada last month though!!! 🙂
Aw, thanks Susan! Maybe the sister boots should go have some adventures together!! 🙂
Love the story. I want my girls to have THAT pair of shoes that they remember. So far, we are mostly wearing tennis shoes, crocs and flip flops.
Congrats on your win.
This was so fun to read!! I have three girls and they each have cowboy boots and crocs!! I’ll think twice when I open the closet from now on. 🙂
Congrats on the award~I completely agree with the judge!
I’m a Scribbit fan, so I wandered over to see who won. LOVE your story! interesting point of view – just great.
Also enjoyed looking around your blog.
Congratulations!
toni