I discovered Crocs when I was in
my 30s. I would wear them to walk
the dog or to work in the yard and even to my children’s bus stop where other young
mothers stood in more fashionable footwear.
And though I did understand that my shoes were not the epitome of high fashion, I also knew that
what they lacked in sex appeal they made up for in comfort. And frankly, I
just didn't give a damn. I had so much else going for me: 30-something bouncy, thick hair; a young
mother’s plump complexion and nary a grey hair in sight.
As I moved into my 40s, I began to wear my Crocs
more often. I discovered that I could walk an entire amusement park from sunup
to sundown and I would still have happy feet. While my kids complained that
they were tired and their feet hurt, I would brag that my feet were just fine
and suggest that we stand in that long line for the roller coaster one more
time. I learned that I could explore new cities by foot for days on end without
a complaint of fatigue ever crossing my lips.
When I entered my 50s, I began to notice that my hair
did not look 30-something anymore and that my plump complexion was gaining
some creases. In an attempt to ward off my panic, I began to read about how to be
“50 and fabulous.” Unfortunately, fashionable shoes seemed to be part of the
deal.
I did some research and discovered
that my beloved plastic shoes now came in different styles. So, I ordered four pairs. I made sure to buy them all in black so that I could be a
sophisticated 50-something. I bought a few that had little straps, which
made them look more like sandals and I
even found some that had no holes! When
they arrived in the mail, I modeled them for my young-adult children who of
course know all of the latest shoe trends.
“Look at my cool shoes!” I said. “They're black and clunky
which makes them look hip and retro when I wear them with my jeans, don’t you
think?”
“No, mom” they said. “They are plastic and everyone makes fun of
them. You really shouldn’t wear them.”
Then I began to read terrible things about my shoes:
“They’re bad for the environment!” “They can’t be recycled!”
“They will cause your arches to collapse!” And worst of all, I began to see
cruel Facebook posts about them. One particularly heartbreaking one went
something like this: “Wow, that's a nice looking pair of Crocs. Said No One Ever.” I began to feel bad about my shoes.
Recently, my husband and I explored a new city. I wore
stylish black flats to walk in during the day but by evening, my feet were not
happy. And neither was I. But still,
hoping to be “50 and fabulous” I wore suede boots out to dinner, but on the
walk back to the hotel I slipped and fell in the middle of the street and I broke my foot.
“This never would have happened if I’d been wearing my
Crocs!” I screamed.
My husband helped me out of the street and the next day the
doctor gave me an air cast to wear on my left foot for at least six weeks. He
told me to wear a supportive shoe on my right foot to balance the weight, but I didn’t
think that would look very fabulous.
This was not good timing. I had a beach trip to go on with
my girlfriends from high school. It was
bad enough that I had to go in an air cast so I was determined to wear a
nice looking shoe on my good foot. I did look
pretty cute hobbling around in one great shoe, but it gave my foot no support
so by the end of the trip both of my ankles were blown up like balloons from walking
around with uneven weight. I know without a doubt that this would not have
happened if I had worn my Crocs.
I’ve decided that holey, plastic shoes were sent to Earth
from the shoe Gods and that I would be kicking a gift horse in the mouth if I
did not graciously accept. So, as I move into the remainder of my 50s and into
my next decades, I will proudly and gratefully wear them and I will feel good
about my shoes. My feet and I will be happy, and that will make most everything
fabulous.
