20 Mar 2009
Red Boot Breakthrough
On the morning of our 5th day with Maya a new shoe choice was made. She didn’t fuss. She didn’t even shed a red boot tear. Mama was putting on her white tennis shoes. Maya was watching. So, Cathy invited Maya to make a similar white shoe fashion statement. There was no reservation. . . not even a hint of hesitation. Maya was ready to broaden her fashion horizon. On a sunny day in Zhengzhou with a trip planned for the zoo, white became the new red.
Here’s where I’m in trouble. Once the white shoes went on. . . they haven’t come off. In fact, Maya slept in them.
I should have forced Cathy to leave it alone. Have you seen Cathy’s closet? We don’t need another shoe hound sniffing around Nordstrom Rack living with the burden of having to buy another pair because they are so dang cute.
So, after all the psychological insights and sociological connections to selfhood and the search for identity, I want someone to counsel me. What if red boots are no symbol of the wounds from having your world turn upside down and leaving the love of your foster parents? What if Maya is simply a girly girl who wants new shoes for every outfit and occasion? I realize that Maya is grieving some love loss, but retail therapy is not the fix. Do you hear this Cathy? I will repeat. RETAIL THERAPY IS NOT THE FIX!
So counsel me. . . send me links to psychological journals. We don’t have an emotional connection to feelings of loss on our hands. We have something much worse. . . an emotional connection to shopping, fashion statements and expensive tastes. Oh, that we could go back to the way things used to be. The days when one pair of red boots was all she needed.
We didn't just slip these on while she was napping - she wore them all day!
I had to wear new shoes while taking my new parents to the zoo!
Shane, I think you can calm down a little bit
Red boots just aren’t practical for a girl all the time – Sounds like she has good sense to me! (and you are only on the 2nd pair of shoes in 5 days – that doesn’t sound too bad!) On a more serious note…..how exciting that she is identifying with Cathy and wants to be like her!! I think that’s progress!! (and a girl can never have too many shoes!)
Kathy Garrison
March 20th, 2009 at 5:28 pmpermalink
Here is my counsel:
Guys need to scratch, grunt, and be king of the hill – and watch an unexplicable amount of televised scratching, grunting and being king of the hill (sports).
Girls…..need…..SHOES!!!
The Cerbana Family
March 20th, 2009 at 5:53 pmpermalink
Shane, you are now the father of a daughter… believe me… shoes are the least of your concern! LOL…. Just wait! Chris may have to send you a pair of knee pads like the ones he owns… lots of praying!
Charlene Hormann
March 20th, 2009 at 8:07 pmpermalink
What an awesome Mom-Daughter moment with the white shoes..little girls love to be like their Mamas! And shoes are only the beginning…
Laura Efta
March 20th, 2009 at 11:39 pmpermalink
I know that we’ve met Shane once briefly and I’ve never met Cathy, however I stumbled across your blog in a CG email. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading your blog. Maybe it’s because I have three daughters, who are 1/4 Chinese, and long for the day that I can introduce them to more of their Chinese heritage.
What a beautiful time you have had with Maya so far. I will pray that the transition will continue to be smooth as she adjusts to each new person in her life and a new culture. She is a precious little girl.
Cathy, please let me know if you ever want to hang out with another pastor’s wife with girls. We have plenty of dress-ups at our house.
Laurie M. Lee
Maple Valley Pres.
Laurie & Jeff Lee
March 21st, 2009 at 4:45 pmpermalink
You are all so beautiful and are great witnesses in your words and behavior. So glad to be in China with you!! Cant wait to see your family pics when you get home!
amy
March 22nd, 2009 at 5:31 ampermalink
Shane, Shane, Shane…shoes, shoes, shoes…Life with girls is an endless search for the “pretty” things in life! My two girls love shoes, stuffed animals, clothes (that glitter of course), and so many hair ribbons I’ve lost count! Life is great with a girl…shoes are only the beginning…BUT I wouldn’t trade any of it for anything else!!!!
Rachel Mollet
March 22nd, 2009 at 8:19 pmpermalink
Well, I guess I was way off!
Jeremy Macias
March 23rd, 2009 at 9:57 ampermalink