Shoe Shopping

This is probably one of my most dreaded "back-to-school" shopping experiences. Where have the days gone when a friendly shoe salesman with a polyester tie and greased back hair would patiently measure your foot, take hold of the shoe of your dreams and then disappear into the backroom. A few minutes later he'd appear with three or four boxes, all a variety of sizes and proceed to slip the shoe on your foot and even tie it up. After instructing you to get up and walk around a bit ("How's that feel?") he'd gaze intently, making sure they fit properly. In the meantime, Mom would sit beside us and when we were satisfied with a shoe she'd gently press down on the toe, just to make sure.

Well those days are definitely gone. The airy shops filled with shoes and shoe sundries have mostly been replaced with carved out little corners in Kohl's or Target or Sears. The salesperson has been replaced with a colorful rubber mat that is worn from hundreds of kids placing their grimy little feet over the foot on the mat to see what size they are. There's isn't such a thing as an organized back room, instead there are shelves upon shelves of shoes that are scattered haphazardly. You want that New Balance shoe, well it might be underneath the display model but more likely it's three or four shoe spots down, hiding out in the back. It's an "every person for themself" type of mentality - the aisles filled with glossy-eyed parents pushing strollers and tugging along one, two or more kids.

Last night it was enough to give me a headache - even though Mom was with to help. We left Kohl's without any luck and all I wanted to do was go home and have a drink. But she perservered and said, "Imagine how this would be without help!" Good point Mom. So to Sears we went. It's never busy in their shoe department and in one little corner, there's actually two benches almost side by side. She took John and I was in charge of Sophie and Lucy. After 30 minutes of trying on shoes and the last minute "toe check" by Mom we managed - everyone was happy but I don't think anyone was as happy as me. Afterall, I shouldn't need to go through this for at least another two months. I hope.