My oldest shoes. (part 1)

Today, I was rearranging the shoes at my house. Rather, I was picking up the dozens of pairs of shoes scattered about our house, and arranging them neatly by our front door. (A task that has to be done in our house every other week or so, so that we don't feel like the trash monster from "A New Hope" could be living in the clutter) While doing this, I stumbled across a very old pair of shoes. My oldest shoes, in fact. At least the oldest pair that are still in use.

 A pair of brown, plaid, converse all-stars. I've had them since I was 13. They're pretty beat up now; the cloth is tearing, the laces have tape on them, three of the four metal rings on the inner sides have fallen out, and the rubber in the soles and sides is all but worn away. About a year ago, I liked their wear and tear. It gave my shoes character! But now, my Chuck Taylor's have become more ratty than rugged, and while cleaning, this thought came across my mind, "I should just throw these away", and with that thought, I became very sad.

I've had a lot of good times in those shoes. I've had them for 8 years! Through out high school, when I lived at my parents house, while doing sports and theatre, any adventure I've had up until this point involved those shoes. Now, I certainly didn't wear those shoes everyday, but when looking back at my life, and now with the possibility of them being thrown away, I can't immediately remember any other pair that I've owned, nor can I think of me wearing a different pair in the future.

The thought of me throwing away the shoes now, after reminiscing, seems tragic. It's like i'm throwing away the memories. I think what I'm really afraid of though, is the next pair of shoes that I own. How can they possibly be as good? I don't really want another pair! I just want to stay in my old, comfortable, beautiful, familiar shoes. But alas, they are old and dirty, and the soles are so worn down that they hurt my feet. Not mention, my feet have grown, and my converse don't even fit as well as they use to. I should move on, but that's difficult.

These shoes represent my past, to me. I'm always thinking about the good old days, which is usually anything before the previous year. I've had a good life, and I don't think there is anything wrong with reminiscing, but when I am stuck on the past(old shoes) it takes away from the positivity that is today and my future(new shoes). I shouldn't be sad that my life ISN'T what it use to be, I should be happy that my life IS what it is. The bible says "THIS is the day which the LORD has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in IT." (Psalm 118:24) We should live life to the fullest now, and focus on the future, which is something that we can change, as opposed to the past which is now set in stone.

(i'll continue this next week, and it will have my main point in there too!)