Undoubtedly, feet generally get a bad rap. In fact, I know some people can’t even stand the sight of their own feet…let alone someone else’s (you know who you are!). Most of the time, we cover them up in some form or fashion. And rightfully so! Not many people can brag about having perfectly sized and beautifully aligned feet. The majority of us have awkward or gangly or fat or bony or cracked or crooked or generally ugly feet. But…what our feet are capable of, is truly awesome!
From the time we take our first strides, our feet carry us through every step (pun intended) of life. From running the bases in little league, to dancing atop our daddy’s shoes, to nervously tapping while waiting on our first date to arrive, our feet give us flight, keep us grounded, and express emotions we’re not willing or able to vocalize.
My feet have taken me on adventures great and small! They’ve balanced on beams and rounded third base. They’ve strolled the sands of Hawaii, and bathed in oceans on both coasts. They’ve traversed the ice caves in Charmonix, France, and danced in the streets of Puerto Vallarta. They’ve hiked Utah's Delicate Arch and skied down the hills of Colorado’s black-diamond trails. They’ve been bog stomping and grape crushing. They’ve squished in muddy river banks and jumped out of an airplane from 13,000 feet. They’ve walked 60 miles in 3 days (twice). They’ve bounced up and down on the sidelines for many a game and competition. And they have an affinity for fresh cut grass and garden soil, soft, fuzzy socks and brightly colored polish.
My feet have also guided me on more solemn undertakings. They’ve walked me home after school when someone slashed the tires on my new bike. They've tip-toed through the house after curfew. They’ve paced the halls and waiting rooms too many times over, waiting for news. They’ve been my sturdy landing gear when I’ve jumped out of bed to take care of a sick little one. They’ve dangled from the side of a hospital bed, not yet ready to make contact with the floor. They’ve stomped in protest to many an injustice. They’ve kept me standing when all I wanted to do was fall. They’ve walked me away when my heart yearned to stay. They’ve walked me forward when I wasn’t prepared to face the day.
As I look at my feet now, signs of age and years of neglect starting to show, I realize I’ve taken these precious appendages for granted! After all, they’ve been here the whole time…every journey near and far, in triumph and in turmoil, my feet have done what I needed them to do, day in and day out. They show up. They get me there. They keep me here. They hold me up. They move me forward.
These are the feet that kept me steady cradling my newborn baby boys. And the feet, (God-willing), that will dance with them at their weddings some day. These are the feet that walked me down the aisle to my waiting husband almost 20 years ago. And the feet that will shuffle right alongside him when we are old and gray. These are the feet that search under the covers each night for the warmer pair they share the bed with. And these are the feet that lead me back home each and every day.
So the next time you catch a glimpse of your feet (no matter their condition), think of all the trails they've trekked and all the paths waiting to be explored! Where your feet lead, your heart will follow. Be kind to your toes…oh, the places they’ll go!