Today we participated in One Day Without Shoes. In the past, I've participated, but I haven't really felt the true impact of this day. Today I really got out there in my bare feet, and it made me think.
I spent the day trying to explain to Micah why we weren't wearing shoes. I talked about children who have to walk to school without shoes. About walking to the wells without shoes. He didn't get it. I tried to play TOMS youtube videos for him, but again, not clicking. It wasn't until we went to the park and joined a group of families for a TOMS walk that he began to understand that it wasn't just his crazy mama going barefoot today. Kids! Big kids! They were barefoot! In fact, they were the ones who organized the walk. This planted a seed in my little guy's head. I hope I can keep it growing.
Personally, I had a lot of emotions I didn't expect on our walk. I worried constantly over what Micah might step in while he ran ahead of me in his pitter-patter bare feet. Then I realized that some moms in developing countries don't have that luxury. They cannot worry about what their child might step in while without shoes. For some, shoes are just not an option. My heart hurt.
Oxfam posted today on their blog about TOMS One Day Without Shoes. The post put the question to the reader of whether or not raising awareness is enough. After seeing a group of privileged suburban kids out walking and being excited about raising awareness, I'm saying yes. After taking a moment to see how it might affect a mom to see her child without shoes everyday, I'm saying yes. And, while I do agree that TOMS doesn't solve the shoe problem, they are at least doing something about it. And, who knows where this awareness could lead? Nothing is ever "enough," but at least it is something, and I think it's something great.
