Patent Leather Shoes
More than pretty shoes.32 total reviews
Comment from LisaMay
Your gift for storytelling shines in this tale of compassion - both your own (for being "drawn to the shy and struggling") and Mr Reddings, for noticing what would give you a lift and for being so generous - also saying "my girls", which actually brought a tear to my eye, as did the detail of seeing him at the back of the hall applauding. It is the details that make this story sing - we get a wonderful 'time capsule' look at past schooldays and an insight into the impact of having to live frugally, and what that feels like when mixing with richer people.
reply by the author on 25-Jan-2020
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Your gift for storytelling shines in this tale of compassion - both your own (for being "drawn to the shy and struggling") and Mr Reddings, for noticing what would give you a lift and for being so generous - also saying "my girls", which actually brought a tear to my eye, as did the detail of seeing him at the back of the hall applauding. It is the details that make this story sing - we get a wonderful 'time capsule' look at past schooldays and an insight into the impact of having to live frugally, and what that feels like when mixing with richer people.
Comment Written 23-Jan-2020
reply by the author on 25-Jan-2020
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Thank you, dear Lisa. I'm so glad you enjoyed my true story. I seem to do well in these contests. God has always filled my troubled life with good people to help me along the way. I feel richer than most.
Sending you my best today as always,
Sally xoxo
Comment from LaRosa
I think I'd have felt a real glow to hear Karel's father say 'my girls'.
Sally was definitely a special child herself to already have a feeling for special needs friends. Both being outsiders was surely not the only reason for the special bond.
Your telling of this momentous moment in your life is special too and I'm glad you shared it.
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2020
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I think I'd have felt a real glow to hear Karel's father say 'my girls'.
Sally was definitely a special child herself to already have a feeling for special needs friends. Both being outsiders was surely not the only reason for the special bond.
Your telling of this momentous moment in your life is special too and I'm glad you shared it.
Comment Written 20-Jan-2020
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2020
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Thank you, dear LaRosa. I'm getting spoiled by your wonderful reviews and I love it! Thank you so much. You are very special to me.
Sending you my best today as always,
Sally xoxo
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Believe me, I enjoy your stories. You write them with so much feeling and insight.
It does mean a lot to read your comments, Sally. Thank you.
Comment from Father Flaps
Hi Sally,
I enjoyed your childhood memory. I remember when I was a kid and got something new. It didn't happen often, but I felt like a king with a new shirt on, or new sneakers.
I remember one particular shirt my parents bought for me. I was so proud of it. I wore it outside, feeling like a million dollars. Well, it didn't last long. The street bully picked a fight with me. I never liked to fight, and avoided confrontations whenever they popped up.
But this bully, David Pitt, tore the collar almost right off. It made me so mad, I fought back like never before. I licked him, and he didn't bother me again. But my poor shirt! My mother had to sew the collar back on. And I didn't feel like a king anymore.
One time, my mother knitted me a sweater-type coat, white with deer on the front and back. She finished it just in time for me to wear to the Grade Six skating party. Now I had a huge crush on Shirley Hamilton. Huge crush! And she knew it. I had it planned to skate with her at the rink. (We had an outdoor rink, lights and all, behind Ozzy Hoyt's farm. The flooded it with water from Ozzy's Brook.)
But what I didn't know was that Shirley had a boyfriend... Gary Vandenburghe. He was older than me. But then, Shirley was older than me too. Anyway, they skated together, of course. My new sweater coat didn't make any difference to her. Only me. My friend, Ivan Doucet, saw my despair and invited me to skate with him and Karen McConaughey. As we skated round and round, I sneaked peeks at Shirley & Gary. But it was hard to see them clearly. My eyelashes were frozen together!
You can't beat childhood memories, eh? They help us grow up.
Nicely penned, Sally! Good Luck in the contest!
Cheers,
Kimbob
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2020
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Hi Sally,
I enjoyed your childhood memory. I remember when I was a kid and got something new. It didn't happen often, but I felt like a king with a new shirt on, or new sneakers.
I remember one particular shirt my parents bought for me. I was so proud of it. I wore it outside, feeling like a million dollars. Well, it didn't last long. The street bully picked a fight with me. I never liked to fight, and avoided confrontations whenever they popped up.
But this bully, David Pitt, tore the collar almost right off. It made me so mad, I fought back like never before. I licked him, and he didn't bother me again. But my poor shirt! My mother had to sew the collar back on. And I didn't feel like a king anymore.
One time, my mother knitted me a sweater-type coat, white with deer on the front and back. She finished it just in time for me to wear to the Grade Six skating party. Now I had a huge crush on Shirley Hamilton. Huge crush! And she knew it. I had it planned to skate with her at the rink. (We had an outdoor rink, lights and all, behind Ozzy Hoyt's farm. The flooded it with water from Ozzy's Brook.)
But what I didn't know was that Shirley had a boyfriend... Gary Vandenburghe. He was older than me. But then, Shirley was older than me too. Anyway, they skated together, of course. My new sweater coat didn't make any difference to her. Only me. My friend, Ivan Doucet, saw my despair and invited me to skate with him and Karen McConaughey. As we skated round and round, I sneaked peeks at Shirley & Gary. But it was hard to see them clearly. My eyelashes were frozen together!
You can't beat childhood memories, eh? They help us grow up.
Nicely penned, Sally! Good Luck in the contest!
Cheers,
Kimbob
Comment Written 20-Jan-2020
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2020
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You have story after story here in your colorful life. We share similar uproariously fun memories. Yes, my memories have made me a wealthy person.
I appreciate your review and kindest compliments along with the generous six stars, Kimbob. It is so appreciated and encouraging. Sending you my best today as always,
Sally xo
Comment from Gail Denham
Very good - I so liked that you split the story into paragraphs - instead of one long piece. Yes, I got the co-cola - heard that a lot. This is a grand story - I don't think you mentioned that Karel was a special needs girl - prob. should be mentioned right off - or at least described in some way - better to show it.
Did you protest when Mr. Redding was going to buy the shoes? Might have been a good touch. You said, "Mr. Redding....after having three girls." probably should be "Mr. Redding, since he had three girls"
Good story - heart-warming also.
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2020
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Very good - I so liked that you split the story into paragraphs - instead of one long piece. Yes, I got the co-cola - heard that a lot. This is a grand story - I don't think you mentioned that Karel was a special needs girl - prob. should be mentioned right off - or at least described in some way - better to show it.
Did you protest when Mr. Redding was going to buy the shoes? Might have been a good touch. You said, "Mr. Redding....after having three girls." probably should be "Mr. Redding, since he had three girls"
Good story - heart-warming also.
Comment Written 19-Jan-2020
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2020
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Thank you, dear Gail. It is good to see you. I appreciate your kimd review and so pleased you enjoyed my true story. Sending you my best today as always,
Sally xo
Comment from Sandra Stoner-Mitchell
aw, Sally, that was lovely! I was the poor one as a child, and my shoes were also scruffy next to my posher friends. Mr Redding was a really lovely man to have bought those shoes for you, $20 was a lot of money back then, still is today for many. And how nice to have had a friend who wasn't a snob. I enjoyed your story, it was a breath of fresh air to find one that had a happy ending. Well done. :)) Sandra xxx
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2020
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aw, Sally, that was lovely! I was the poor one as a child, and my shoes were also scruffy next to my posher friends. Mr Redding was a really lovely man to have bought those shoes for you, $20 was a lot of money back then, still is today for many. And how nice to have had a friend who wasn't a snob. I enjoyed your story, it was a breath of fresh air to find one that had a happy ending. Well done. :)) Sandra xxx
Comment Written 19-Jan-2020
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2020
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I sis
Etc we may be around the same age. I grocery shopped with my mother and remembered the weeekly bill. Twemty bucks was a lot in 1966! I'm so pleased you enjoyed my true story entry.
Sending you my best today as always,
Sally xoxo
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I'm a very young 72, In my head, anyway. I gave up getting old once I hit 60, trouble is, the years didn't stop, lol. xxx
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Ah, you are going at heart! I'm going on 65 this year! Yikes!
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You're still a spring chicken! I'm the old rooster, Lol.
Comment from Tina Crute
This is so sweet! My favorite part is when Karel's dad called the two, "my girls." You nailed how a poor kid looks at others, wanting simply, nice shoes. She befriended a special needs child:)
I am slow...I just realized this is true! Ah, Sally, you have a gift!!
Tina
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2020
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This is so sweet! My favorite part is when Karel's dad called the two, "my girls." You nailed how a poor kid looks at others, wanting simply, nice shoes. She befriended a special needs child:)
I am slow...I just realized this is true! Ah, Sally, you have a gift!!
Tina
Comment Written 18-Jan-2020
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2020
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Thank you, dear Tina. I'm just so pleased you enjoyed my true story and contest entry. Sending you my best today as always,
Sally xoxo
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I loved this!!!
You are a winner:)
Comment from djeckert
Another Beautiful story ,Sal.
You are so gifted in telling great, heartwarming stories. I totally adored it. Blessings to you and thanks for such beautiful and inspiring writing.
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2020
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Another Beautiful story ,Sal.
You are so gifted in telling great, heartwarming stories. I totally adored it. Blessings to you and thanks for such beautiful and inspiring writing.
Comment Written 18-Jan-2020
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2020
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Thank you for the wonderful review and generous stars once again, dear D. It is so appreciated. I'm glad you enjoyed my true story.
Sending you my best today as always
Sally xo
Comment from Ulla
Awe, Sally this is such a heartfelt story and it really brought tears to my eyes. There are some really good people out there and Mr Redding was certainly one of them. A wonderful story and entry for the contest. Ulla:)))
reply by the author on 18-Jan-2020
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Awe, Sally this is such a heartfelt story and it really brought tears to my eyes. There are some really good people out there and Mr Redding was certainly one of them. A wonderful story and entry for the contest. Ulla:)))
Comment Written 18-Jan-2020
reply by the author on 18-Jan-2020
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Thank you, dear Ulla. I'm glad I had the time for this and glad it came together. I'm so pleased you liked it!!
Sending you my best today as always,
Sally xoxo
Comment from Barb Hensongispsaca
OH I truly love true stories, I get to really get to know the friends I read about. This is truly wonderful and I found no errors in the writing. A great piece for the contest
reply by the author on 18-Jan-2020
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OH I truly love true stories, I get to really get to know the friends I read about. This is truly wonderful and I found no errors in the writing. A great piece for the contest
Comment Written 18-Jan-2020
reply by the author on 18-Jan-2020
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Thank you so much for the lovely review and stars. It is so appreciated, dear Barb.
Sending you my best today as always,
Sally xoxo
Comment from patcelaw
When I was a kid, we got only one pair of shoes that had to last throughout the whole school year. Many times before the end of the school year the shoes hurt my growing feet.
Patricia
reply by the author on 18-Jan-2020
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When I was a kid, we got only one pair of shoes that had to last throughout the whole school year. Many times before the end of the school year the shoes hurt my growing feet.
Patricia
Comment Written 18-Jan-2020
reply by the author on 18-Jan-2020
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Thank you for the excellent review and comment, dear Patricia. Me too. Two pairs of shoes just as school started, arriving in the JC Penney delivery box. Sending you my best today as always,
Sally xoxo
