Inspired By Two: Pain in the... foot?

Just when I think I have this parenting thing down... then something happens that brings you a few pegs down.

We have had busy schedules. It just happens. I don't know how we end up having our days and evenings filled. I knew we would have to go and get Nora fitted for shoes for school before her first day. There was never a convenient day to drive up to Gettysburg to the Stride Rite where we buy our quality (ie not Target or Payless) shoes that we need. During my first week back with faculty, Daddy out of the blue, says we have to go to buy shoes tonight. Ugh... I had so much work to do including a presentation, a training session and getting the computers programmed for that consignment sale I volunteer for. Really?!?! Tonight? Your father insisted saying that you, Lucy, had a meltdown about putting on your shoes that morning. He knew it would be an issue and I was on a tight schedule in the mornings. We decided to just get it over with and drive up to the shoe store. We couldn't even get you to put on your shoes to go to the car. Daddy ended up just carrying you without shoes. We drove the half an hour up to the store, carried you in. The lady working measured your feet. Your father found a cute pair of purple and pink sneakers (not looking at the price) and tried to get you to put them on. It was a battle. Lucy, you continually refused. Daddy coddled and cajole and bargained. Nora and I were looking for school shoes... Daddy finally got you to try them on. To be fair Lu, you are difficult many times for no reason at all. I leave most of the negotiations up to Daddy. Finally, you slipped the shoes on, stood up and immediately took off running up and down the aisles shouting at the top fo your lungs, "My feet don't hurt! My feet don't hurt!!!" "Daddy! Mommy! My feet don't hurt!!!!"

Cue the guilt. We felt (still feel) awful. We noticed about a week before we took you to buy shoes that your feet were getting a lot of blisters and cuts on the heel and side. We thought it was the shoes rubbing or style so we would switch. You always preferred to be barefoot in the summer anyways... We had no idea you were in that much pain... until you refused to put on any shoes that morning in late August. Needless to say, we got some strange looks from the other shoppers and Lucy, you refused to take off those shoes. We wanted to buy you another pair too but you would not let us take off that purple and pink pair. Then I find out the shoes cost $50.00! Really?!? For sneakers? And I should mention we drove up to Gettysburg to go to the outlet which usually mean less expensive. But there was no going back, you were enjoying a pain-free shoe wearing experience and there was no way you were going to remove them. And Daddy and I didn't have the heart to take them away. So that's how we bought $50.00 shoes for you, Lu.