Conquering Obstacles (Part 6--Shoes!)

I'm not exactly sure what was said at my next trip to Dr. Allard's, but all I knew was that he wanted to remove one brace and change the other to a half brace. This was the best day of my life! I could hardly wait as my mom took me for my fitting. "Yeah!" as I beamed from ear to ear.

"Mom, can I have a new pair of shoes? I want those pretty ones like all the other girls wear. I hate my black and white shoes!" (Oxfords). I didn't want the "new" brown and white ones now available...they were still Oxfords. I yearned for a pair of white, shiny patent leather ones...there just had to be a way this guy could put a brace on it. I could have a pair of all white leather hightops. Nooooooo way...those were baby shoes! To my chagrin I had to settle for the brown and white pair, but at least they were different than what I had always worn before.

Third grade was off to a great start! I got alot of attention because some of my braces were gone now, and even the girls said they liked my new shoes. They were probably just trying to make me feel good. My teacher, Mrs. Smith, was so nice that I decided right then and there that when I grew up, I wanted to be a teacher just like her!

As I rode my bike into the driveway one day after school, I saw my mom in her usual spot on the front step. She was holding a box and looked so very happy. I wondered what was in the box. As we sat down to discuss the day's activities, I kept eyeing the box she was holding. Finally she said, "I have a surprise for you," and pulled out the coolest pair of black patent leather shoes I had ever seen. They were fancy! I loved them for sure. I didn't get it, though. This was so strange because I knew they wouldn't fit on the brace.

"I signed you up for tap dancing lessons."

"Moooooooom! I can't dance."

Then came her words of wisdom:

"Remember, you are one of God's special children. You can do anything you want. But if you don't try, you'll never know. This will make you a stronger person."

So I tapped, tapped, tapped away at those lessons, thinking the entire time that this was the dumbest idea my mother had ever had. I couldn't tap with my right foot because the brace wouldn't move, and the right shoe--well, it stayed in the box. My mother sewed diligently making my green "teapot" costume for the recital. I absolutely hated the costume--if it had been orange, I would have looked like a huge pumpkin.

I had never been on a stage before and just prayed that I wouldn't throw up. But the dance instructor kept telling me that the show must go on. I peeked through the stage curtain to look for my mom and dad and found them sitting in the front row patiently waiting.

As the group walked out onto the stage, I kept telling myself, "I can do this. I can do this."

I'm a little teapot

Short and stout.

Here is my handle

Here is my spout.

When I get all steamed up,

Hear me shout:

Tip me over

And pour me out!

I can still see my parents grinning throughout the entire performance. I know they were so proud of me. Afterward, they did let me quit the lessons because I think my mother felt "Mission accomplished."

I DID IT!!!

To be continued...