Velcro Shoes
Do you remember the days when society was accepting of Velcro shoes? Sure, the Velcro shoes of that period were laden with princesses, GI Joes, Power Rangers and Ninja Turtles, but nonetheless accepted by society. Admittedly, as we were wearing these shoes our lunches were prepared for us and placed in a lunchbox with a note from mother, “Eat your grapes, kid!” While romping around in our Velcro shoes we may have also been throwing dirt at a friend and consequently sent to timeout for bad behavior. “Jimmy started it mom!” Franklin Franklin Franklin Franklin
It’s a beautiful day. The sun is shining and a soft breeze sweeps across the lake pushing tiny ripples of water to the shore. Sitting comfortably on my milk crate, I begin to rifle through my tackle box in search of the perfect lure. As I stand to make the first cast, I begin to slip down the muddy bank and into the water I go. Soaking wet, I get to my feet and make my way back to shore. My shoes, along with every article of clothing, are soaked. I decide to remove my shoes. With the releasing of two Velcro straps and a slight push with the opposite foot the job is done. I repeat the same three step process for the removal of the other shoe. I’m amazed at how easy it is to remove the shoes. There’s no painstaking task of untying an uncooperative double knot or loosening of laces. Very little effort is spent in the removal of my Velcro shoes. Thusly, a mental note is made.
Determined to salvage the day I regain my confidence and without mishap, make my first successful cast. While enjoying being completely soaked and not receiving a single bite from a fish, I begin to peer over at my shoes that are drying in the sun. I must admit I’m beginning to be a bit intrigued by the shoes and anxiously wait to reapply them to my feet. I begin to experience a flashback. To get to the lake, a reasonable distanced jaunt through a forest was necessary. My brain began to recollect the comfort in which the shoes provided. It felt as if I were walking on clouds. I had never enjoyed walking so much. Now sitting barefoot on my milk crate, I’m able to look down at my feet and notice that there is not a single blister. I don’t feel any sore muscles or irritation of any sort. Peering at the now dry Velcro shoes, I nod as a show of respect and thankfulness for the absolute comfort that the shoes provide.
As the day moves on, I begin to reach the last hour of hope to catching a fish that my patience would allow. Once again rejoined with my Velcro shoes, I decide to travel further down the lake in hopes of finding a fish. Not having the excitement of catching a fish, I begin to feel the loneliness of fishing alone. While walking along the bank, I can’t help but look down at my shoes and smile. The shoes and I began to form a bond, a friendship and a respect for one another. “Fishing can be such a lonely venture”, I say to the shoes, “but with you guys here to support my ankles and angling skills, I’ll never be alone in the wilderness again. We’re going to be together forever.” Velcro shoes are such great companions.
As the sun begins to seek solace behind the tree line, I reach an area of the lake that seems to have promise. I make the cast. With the last attempt to catch a fish now below water, the winds die down and the crickets begin to sing. Enjoying the quietness, my ears sharpen to the relaxing sounds of nature. Although I’m quite relaxed, my patience is not. Reeling in the line, I hear a strange noise emitting from the woods. I hear a low growl followed by the sound of crunching leaves and the breaking of twigs. Nervously looking down at my shoes I say, “Do you guys hear that?” Completely paralyzed by fear, I realize the sound is getting louder and much, much closer. Realizing my paralyzed state, the Velcro shoes strap into action. They begin to walk me back down the bank. Just as soon as we begin to make our way down the bank, the mysterious sound reveals itself. To my astonishment a gigantic black bear emerges from the forest. Immediately he spots me and does not like what he sees. Standing up on his hind legs, he lets out a roar.
Slamming his two front feet back on the ground, he begins to charge towards me. Still paralyzed by fear, I move not a muscle. Luckily, the Velcro shoes have a plan. Quickly backing up from the edge of the water, the shoes prepare for action. With one shoe planted before me and the other firmly pressed against the ground behind me, in unison the two explode with force and race towards the lake. With the bear in close pursuit, I yell at the shoes, “Faster! Go faster! Wait! Where the heck are we going?” I noticed that our speed was increasing and we were only a few feet away from the water. “Shoes, what are you doing? Bears can swim!” I screamed. Little did I know what was about to happen. Bracing for an impact with the water, I close my eyes, but yet I don’t hear a splash and I don’t feel drenched or submerged. I open my eyes and to my astonishment the shoes are running on top of the water. Within a matter of seconds we are safely across the lake leaving the bear behind us. I’m so happy that I decided to buy these shoes. Not only are they comfortable and great companions, they also walk on water. They are absolutely worth the twelve dollars that I spent. I’m fully convinced that when Jesus walked on water, he was wearing Velcro shoes.
Now, if you are not convinced that Velcro shoes are amazing, if my story does not provide prolific examples as to why you should purchase a pair, then I can only hope that if you are ever faced with a similar scenario such as my bear attack, that you have pre-strategized escape plans that do not require the miracles that Velcro shoes provide. However, if I have simply only gained your slight interest in Velcro shoes, perhaps you might purchase a pair just to see if what I say is true. If my examples have stated anything it must be the following; Velcro shoes provide less effort in shoe removal, comfort, companionship and the occasional miracle. Velcro shoes, strap in and enjoy the ride.
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