Etnies

My Etnies are shot.

This pair was given to me by a teen down the street and they've served me well.

I've put many a mile on these shoes.

I've learned some interesting things in these shoes. For instance, I've learned that women over 40 generally do not wear Etnies. I've also learned that women over 40 ought not mix a pink lace with a black lace unless they are willing to risk a fair amount of condemnation from the Fashionistas.

Folks in my church frowned on my shoes. The younger generation thought I was too old to be wearing them and my generation assumed I was trying too hard to be hip.

...but sometimes, a pair of shoes is just a pair of shoes; or in my case, a pair of hand me down Etnies with mismatched laces.

The young girl who gave me these shoes did so out of her genuine concern for my lack of decent footwear. At the time, I was wearing a pair of ratty old sneakers that I'd already patched together several times with two part epoxy.

I thought it was incredibly sweet of her to gift me with a pair of her own shoes.

And I must say, that these shoes are special to me, not because they are Etnies (apparently a desirable and expensive board shoe brand), not because they make some kind of (fashion or hip-o-meter) statement, but because they were so sweetly given and quite comfortable to boot.

I feel as though my Etnies have borne me upon the soles of grace, generosity and great affection.

...and that is why I shall miss them so deeply.

Even if I buy a new pair of Etnies, they won't have the soulful soles of my old pair.

And that my friends, is the story of my black and pink lace Etnies.

May they rest in peace.