Grandma Shoes

When I was very little

All the grandmas that I knew

Were wearing the same kind of

Ugly grandma shoes.

You know the kind I mean.

Clunky heeled, black, lace up kind.

They just looked so very awful

That it weighed upon my mind.

For I knew when I grew up

I'd have to wear those shoes.

I'd think of that from time to time,

It seemed like such bad news.

I never was a rebel,

I wore saddle shoes to school.

And next came ballerinas

Then the sandals, pretty cool.

And then came spikes with pointed toes,

Then platforms, very tall.

As each new fashion came along

I wore them, one and all.

But always, in the distance

Looming in my future there,

Was that awful pair of ugly shoes,

The kind that grandmas wear.

I eventually got married,

And then I became a mom.

Our kids grew up and left,

And when their children came along.

I knew I was a grandma

And the time was drawing near,

When those clunky, black old lace up shoes

Was what I'd have to wear!

How would I do my gardening,

Or take my morning hike?

I couldn't even think about

How would I ride my bike!

But fashions kept evolving

And one day I realized,

That the shape of things to come

Was changing, right before my eyes.

And now, when I go shopping

What I see fills me with glee.

For in my jeans and Reeboks

I'm as comfy as can be.

And I look at all the little girls

and there, upon their feet

Are clunky, black, old grandma shoes,

And I really think that's neat.

~ Betty Cessna

  I received this yesterday from my friend, Sue in Houma, LA. As I read it, that little light of remembrance clicked on in my mind. I had long forgotten the memory of my own grandma's ugly shoes. I thought of them as grandma's ugly shoes too. Those shoes seemed to be the describing factor that said "  Grandma"   in the same way that bib overalls once shouted "  farmer".  I can honestly say that if wearing those ugly shoes was a requirement for being a grandma, I would wear them with pride.

Blessings to all of you as you journey through the week.