The Shoemaker and the Brat

At seventeen years old, I was a brat. A mixture of innocence, immaturity and righteousness. And I carried that attitude with me everywhere, including my trip to the shoemaker.

Now, to understand why something as simple as a trip to the shoemaker would stay with me all these years later, I have to explain. I came from the most loving and nurturing parents a child could ever want. Even back then, I knew I was blessed with a wonderful family, but this realization also made me a little arrogant. My fierce devotion to family could be blinding at times.

When my dad asked me to pick up his shoes from the shoemaker, I eagerly obliged. Although he rarely asked, I loved doing favors for him and this was an easy request. Or so I thought. This simple errand proved more daunting than I originally anticipated, but it also provided me with a valuable lesson in life.

On my first attempt to pick up the shoes, I was informed they weren't ready. "Please, come back," the shoemaker said. However, although he said "please", his response was curt.

As far as I was concerned, my dad never made mistakes, so I looked at the ticket and confirmed that I had the right date. "The ticket said they would be ready today," I responded in an indignant tone.

"Tomorrow," was all he said. Then he turned to his next customer. I'm sure he didn't need a teenager lecturing him about his business obligations.

Prone to the dramatics of my youth, I rolled my eyes and left in a huff, complaining about his lack of responsibility under my breath.

When I returned the next day, ready to forgive him for the inconvenience, I was informed the shoes were not ready. Oh, you would think tragedy struck my perfect little world. My daddy needs his shoes, I though. How could the shoemaker be so inconsiderate? I stormed out of the shop without a word, but my body language spoke volumes.

My third trip (in three days) yielded the same results, and now I was furious at the shoemaker. Who did he think he was? What kind of a business was he running?

Without thinking, I demanded the shoes back. He complied with my request, grabbed the shoes from a large pile on his workbench and shoved them into a bag. "Here you go, young lady," he said with a smirk.

I was fuming. I took the bag, bid him a sarcastic "thank you" and slammed the door on my way out.

When I got home, I explained everything to my dad. As usual, my dialog was animated. I clutched the bag, imitated the shoemaker and walked around the living room acting out my dramatic exit from the shop. Then I handed my dad the bag. He looked in it and smiled.

"Honey, I love you. I'm so happy that you care so much about my shoes, but what am I going to do with them now?"

That's when he pulled the shoes out. The heels were removed and the soles were cobbled out. They were useless, like a patient pulled out of surgery before the doctor finished the operation.

"Patience, honey," he said gently. "There is no point in working yourself up over something that you have no control over."

I tried to argue with his logic. I told him the shoemaker had a job to do and he didn't live up to his obligation. My dad smiled again.

"Honey, think about it. It's just a pair of shoes. I have others. Choose your battles wisely and always deliver them with respect. Tomorrow you will bring the shoes back to the shoemaker and apologize. Explain that you understand he is busy and I am certain you will get positive results."

That's how my dad conducts his life, with patience and respect, no matter what is handed to him. It's one of the many reasons I love him so much.

My father's response was not belittling or disrespectful. He reminded me that we can't always have what we want when we want it. He showed me that our responses to a difficult situation show our true character. Acceptance, forgiveness and understanding are key elements to a healthy outlook on life.

Even to this day, whenever I am in a difficult situation, I remind myself not to be a heel, and always show sole.

Copyright 2004. All Rights Reserved

About The Author

Patricia Gatto and John De Angelis are the authors of MILTON'S DILEMMA, the tale of a lonely boy's magical journey to friendship and self-acceptance. As advocates for literacy and children's rights, the authors speak at schools and community events to foster awareness and provide children with a safe and healthy learning environment. For more information, please visit Joyful Productions at http://www.joyfulproductions.com.

Publishing Guidelines: You are welcome to publish this article in its entirety, electronically, or in print fre.e of charge, as long as you include you include the full byline, hyperlinks and Resource Box.

E-mail or courtesy link appreciated when you publish mailto:Joyful-Productions@comcast.net

pgatto@ptd.net

---

Delay Can Reveal Doubts

Confident Expectation! The feeling of 'confidence' is the assurance that... Read More

The Cracked Pot

Letters on Life#3Some experiences you never forget. In some of... Read More

Night of the Living Dead

For many people, life has become as dull and despairing... Read More

Escape into Reality and Find Love

The early months of this year brought major challenges, as... Read More

Self Acceptance ? Lessons From My Hair Affair

For our diet and, indeed, in every aspect of our... Read More

True Inner Guidance

It's easy to tell the difference between true inner guidance... Read More

The Art of Giving

In the pursuit of the life we dream of, this... Read More

There Is Always Room For Improvement

When I was twelve my parents bought me a five... Read More

How To Develop A Grateful Mind (The Best Medicine)

There is one sure fire medicine that cures all difficulty... Read More

Making Commitments of Love and Courage

There is a story about a little girl who suffered... Read More

Eight Choices You Can Make Today that Will Change Your Life Forever

The direction of our lives is determined by the choices... Read More

Re-Developing Your Vision

One of the most important things we can do for... Read More

Small Wonder

Wonder:~~To think or speculate curiously~~To be filled with admiration, amazement... Read More

Choicemaking: Self-Help Secrets Revealed

We all assume that making choices is a simple process.... Read More

Life lessons - An Inpirational Story

Ju was physically abused as a child. She lived with... Read More

Make A Difference - Just Go Make A Difference!

Three Words That Can Help Us Live Exceptional LivesCertain words... Read More

Keep Hope Alive

"Hope is the thing with feathers That perches in the... Read More

Switch to a Better Channel!

Peril, catastrophe and disaster.These are our friends, allies and mentors.Appearing... Read More

Where You Can Find Sympathy

Ask any of my kids and they'll tell you immediately... Read More

Caste Out

Direct Answers - Column for the week of September 29,... Read More

Does Introspection Assist in Self Progression?

Why would we need to examine our lives? What benefit... Read More

Work In Progress: 10 Benefits of Not Knowing It All

1. You can relax and enjoy your life more if... Read More

Nothing To Celebrate

Direct Answers - Column for the week of August 12,... Read More

The Nature of Anger

Excerpt From The Relationship Handbook: How to Understand and Improve... Read More

Changing Course

Direct Answers - Column for the week of March 17,... Read More

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

Whoever coined this phrase is a genius. Life finds ways... Read More

Everyone Has Been Hurt...Part 2

continued.....Then onto my teen years. My mom had a few... Read More

Commitment To The Journey

I have been a business owner for about a minute.... Read More

Time to Change the World!

Here's something you can do each day that will REALLY... Read More

Does Your Childhood Hold You Back?

Have you come to a point in your life and... Read More

Life is a Mystery...or is it?

Being the last of three daughters, I was a suprise... Read More

The Power of Courtesy and Kindness

I'm currently listening to The Secrets of the Power of... Read More

Inspired Intuition - Following Your Inner Voice

"Some people call the still, small voice insight or intuition?Our... Read More