I am typically not a pack rat or one that saves things. Yes, I’ve even been known to throw away those sweet little preschool drawings that come home every single day….GASP! However I do tend to hang onto clothing. Hey, you never know when it will be back in style.So recently as I was pulling out my fall/winter shoes (not that I have that many shoes but rather very small closet space) only to find a pair of shoes that are older than my 8 year old daughter. A simple brown, leather pair of mules that I figured I have had for 10 years! How is that for usage? So I figure the way styles come and go I was “in” at least 5 of the 10 years.
Well I literally wore those shoes out. On my trip to Zambia the seams split. As we were packing up to leave camp I had asked one of the Zambian ladies if anyone would be interested in having the shoes even though they were in need of mending. She jumped (literally) up and said, “Oh, yes”. In my experience this is always the case; the African people are desperate for so many things that even “broken” items are a delight.
Not more than 10 minutes later a sweet lady named Violet approached me wearing her new shoes. So I was thinking if the saying, “Don’t judge a person until you’ve walked a mile in their shoes”, holds true than I am fair game for the judging by Miss Violet as I am sure she has already walked many miles in those shoes.
Here’s to the Bass Company for making products that last a lifetime.
12 comments:
Thanks for the post and the picture!
Susan
What a sweet story—makes me want to clean out my closets and send them everything I own!
Why else would they be called mules?
That is a great story! I'm so glad they could still be used by someone. The people in this country could really take a lesson from that!
what a cool story michelle...is this going in Everyday Woman?
kudos for buying the well made shoes...i am a sucker for cheapies, so that i can replace them on a whim.
I didn't know shoes could be mended. WOW! These people you're meeting sure amaze me. Loved this story.
My friend Laura lived in Tanzania last year (YWAM). I remember once she said how much the kids liked her to blow bubbles (w/ a wand and soap- you know)- many had never seen bubbles before and were so excited! I couldn't believe it.
Sadly, it's easy for me to forget how much I have, and I take things for granted every day.
Thanks for sharing-
Wonderful story! It is fun to think about where those shoes have taken you, and where they will take Miss Violet. :)
What a blessing you are to those people. How sweet of you to give her your shoes.
It's pathetic when I think of all the shoes we have in this house that never ever get worn...too many females have lived in this home.
I always think of Alicia's trip to Kenya and how the little kids ran next to their bus begging for tooth brushes or pencils. She said they were bare feet and had flies hanging on their lips, but just wanted anything the TM kids would give.
Michelle, I have awarded you a bloggers award. Come check out my blog to see what it's all about!
Love, Ginger
Great story... are you stil collecting funds for the blankets?? I keep forgetting to send it...
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