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| Have you ever had to walk in anyone's shoes...or socks? |
Are you
familiar with the expression, “walk a mile in my shoes?” I’ve heard it said, “Don’t
judge me until you walk a mile in my shoes.” Or, “If you could only walk in my
shoes.” My friend recently exercised the opportunity to mix the figurative
meaning of this expression with the literal.
During a week-long
conference, my friend and I walked daily from our hotel to the convention
center where our classes were held. She mainly walked because I liked to walk.
A friend in deed.
Early one
morning there were three of us who joined the crowed of walkers headed to the convention
center. We were two blocks from the center when my friend’s sandal broke. It
was the type of sandal that has the strap that fits between your big toe and
the second toe.
My friend
wanted to turn back and walk the five blocks back to the hotel, but we wouldn’t
let her. She tried to grip the broken shoe with her toes and drag her foot, but
that wasn’t working. I offered my suggestion, “How about if we each take off
one shoe and drag our foot like you’re doing?” After she caught her breath from
laughing, we implemented plan ‘B’ instead.
“You can
wear my socks, at least they’ll match your outfit,” I offered. There was no
magical moment as with Cinderella and her glass slipper, as my friend slipped
the black socks onto her foot. However, the cushion of the thick sock brought a
moment of comfort. She made it through the first class session without anyone
noticing the absence of her shoes.
After class
I was able to give my friend the gym shoes that I was wearing and I changed
into something else. I couldn’t offer her the shoes before because my class was
active and required us to sometimes run around. For the rest of that morning,
my friend walked a mile in my shoes.
If anyone
were to question why I took a few pair of shoes on the trip, they could now see
why. One pair for walking and others for casual and dress up activities. Since
my feet are a size bigger than my friend’s, she was able to fit the shoes
without any discomfort.
My shoe held
up for my friend just like our friendship has over the years.
What
experiences have you had with a friend that have made you smile?
