Dr. T looks at me seriously and says, “You should start wearing hi-tops.”
It takes a few seconds for this “pretty-shoes” loving girl to grasp the concept. I imagine Converse basketball shoes (vintage 1970’s) on my feet. The kind I have never, in my entire life, even thought about wearing.
I never hung out with the high school jocks. I was always on the music end of the school. The only time I even entered the gym was for enforced – excuse me – mandatory Phys. Ed., or when the school band had to play for an event.
And once, for the Tea & Fashion Show, where we modeled our projects from sewing class for mothers, grandmothers, and boyfriends.
I remember it now …
Silver tea service, dainties, serviettes – not napkins.
Striding to the end of the runway, slipping off the jacket of my sky blue 3-piece suit and swinging it over my shoulder just before doing a pivot turn.
I remember clearly the shoes I wore that day: Sandal wedges, strappy leather that buckled around my ankle. That fit my feet perfectly.
I loved those shoes …
But I digress.
I watch Dr. T lift the cuff of his pant leg to display his own dull brown hi-tops, and I feel my vanity take a nose-dive.
Shoes have always been a passion of mine.
And weak ankles have always been an impediment lurking around the corner.
Now, I’ve twisted my ankle one time too many and Dr. T, foot specialist, sits in front of me speaking quietly and matter-of-factly. Telling me that, besides the orthotics and the ankle wrap I’ve become accustomed to, and short of the surgery that is not very successful anyway, hi-tops are a great way to support weak ankles and combat the pain.
On the drive home I feel like Snoopy sitting on top of his doghouse in aviator cap, red scarf, and goggles. Fist pumping the air.
“Curse you, weak ankles!”
Against my wishes, I have been relegated to the world of sensible shoes.**
Some are born to sensible shoes, some achieve sensible shoes, and some have sensible shoes thrust upon them.
So this is it then. The end of an era.
No more 3-inch stilettos (seriously, when was the last time I even tried on stilettos? 20 years ago?).
No more wedges, or pumps, or cute open-toed with bows on top.
No more brand-new-Broadway-dance-type-shoes-in-my-closet, still unworn.
Sigh. I don’t even know who to be now. I know I won’t recognize this new hi-top wearing chick.
In the only time I have for shopping before I leave for a week’s frolic with Little Man, I resign myself to a certain pair of hi-tops because … pink racing stripes.
Then, because it’s buy one get one 50% off, I choose another pair. Suede. Mint green, with matching laces.
As the weeks of wearing hi-tops go by I catch myself looking down at my shoes many times a day thinking, who is this person?
But my ankle feels better when I’m wearing them and so I concede to Dr. T’s professional advice. He was right.
Still, I walk by shoe stores longingly, trying not to let my gaze waft over to the pretty shoe section. Until one day when something in the window catches my eye.
What’s this? Tucked among fur lined wedge boots, chunky combat boots, high-heeled fashion boots … there they are.
Low heeled. Lace-ups. Leather.
And Red.
Could I possibly follow Doctor’s orders AND soothe my vanity?
I duck into the shoe store to look for a salesperson.
Take THAT, Red Baron!
** For the purposes of this blog post, the term sensible shoes should be understood to mean low-heeled (or no-heeled) lace-up shoes.
All shoe photos credited to Pixabay.com
Pattern: rustyzipper.com
Snoopy: my own photo of a comic.
