Just An Old Pair of Shoes

As some of you know, I am a lady living in a small coastal village in southwest Mexico.  Today I want to share a small story that took place this morning.  I have a family who work for me who are very poor, and they have two teenaged sons and a special little ten year old named Luz, which means light.  This is a wonderful family who do everything for me for less than forty dollars a week.  I cook.  

Last week, I noticed that Luz was wearing a pair of my shoes that I had thrown into the trash, and that was fine.  I usually buy their shoes and other things that they consider luxuries but this past month has been rough on me in the money department and they know it.  I had moving expenses that were unexpected and quite frankly I am a little broke this month.  She was sitting next to me while blogging and I noticed the shoes!   The shoes she was wearing were torn up.

Any other time I would have taken her shopping for shoes, but not this month.  I went upstairs to see if I had a nice pair for her.  I found a pair of barely worn sneakers and brought them down and gave them to her.  I was a little hesitant since she is ten and I am sixty five, but she was so pleased!  She put them on and danced around for us and it made me so happy that I just wanted to share this story with you.

This is just a small story, but there is no way in the world that my grand daughter who is the same age would have appreciated the gift of an old ladies shoes.  It is truly a different world here and I love it.

•  You're a very nice person.

  Thanks for sharing, have a great day!

  ps. 65 is the new 40.

  by ek hornbeck on Wed Sep 06, 2006 at 01:37:01 PM PDT

  •  I needed

    something light after the terror speech.  Thanks Ek.

    by mango on Wed Sep 06, 2006 at 01:38:26 PM PDT

    •  asdf

      Good to see you came through Hurricane John largely unharmed.

      by horsewithnoname on Wed Sep 06, 2006 at 02:04:10 PM PDT

      •  Yes

        it kind of bypassed us.  Lots of rain and a little wind, but all is well.  Thanks.

        by mango on Wed Sep 06, 2006 at 02:09:14 PM PDT

        •  I'm glad it missed you`

          I read your diary earlier and had been thinking of you and your pets.  Thanks for sharing this story.  You are the Beautiful American that helps our country's image when we need it most.

          by myrealname on Wed Sep 06, 2006 at 04:41:58 PM PDT

    •  Mango, thank you for sharing this story

      I have a lump in my throat, knowing how important this was for both you and Luz.  You are a warm, generous and good person, which shines through in even your briefest comments.  Luz probably will never forget these shoes or the woman who gave them to her.

      by vigilant meerkat on Wed Sep 06, 2006 at 02:04:13 PM PDT

      •  Thanks

        Luz and I are good friends even though she barely whispers an I can hardly hear her and besides she whispers in spanish.

        by mango on Wed Sep 06, 2006 at 02:13:48 PM PDT

    •  I wonder how many

      Republicans would do this.

      You're a beautiful person, mango. 8-)

      by willers on Wed Sep 06, 2006 at 03:11:15 PM PDT

      •  Thankyou, Willers

        I think of you and your struggles often even though you don't know me.  I read your diaries and wish that you could have a better life.  I live here because I can live well. Otherwise I would be wearing your shoes.

        by mango on Wed Sep 06, 2006 at 03:14:35 PM PDT

        •  Aww, you're sweet.

          Luckily I do have a part time gig as a product designer now, and am doing 3 Pagan Pride Day events in the next month, so we're not hurting quite so bad. But it's still pretty damn close, and it's a good thing the Forest Service sells firewood gathering permits for $20 a cord or I dunno how we'd get through the winter.

          But anyway... I have a cold and I'm rambling 'cause I'm bored. 8-)

          by willers on Wed Sep 06, 2006 at 08:13:09 PM PDT

•  Thank you for sharing such a beautiful

  story, mango.  I can just "see" Luz dancing in her "new" shoes.  This is a lovely example of how giving feels just as wonderful (if not more) than receiving.  You're a beautiful person with a beautiful spirit and I just wanted to thank you for brightening my day!

  by Dreaming of Better Days on Wed Sep 06, 2006 at 01:40:27 PM PDT

  •  Thats nice

    you are welcome.  Its not about me, its how much I love these folks.

    by mango on Wed Sep 06, 2006 at 01:41:58 PM PDT

•  Lovely story and an inspiration!

  Thanks for sharing your story with us, mango, and for sharing your shoes with someone who truly needed them.

  by Radiowalla on Wed Sep 06, 2006 at 01:41:22 PM PDT

•  Beautiful

  Thanks.

  I spent some time on the Jalisco coast a few years ago (well south of Puerto Vallarta but probably well north of where you are) and everything from the people to the environment to the food were spectacular and unforgettable.  Hope to get back there soon.

  by The Termite on Wed Sep 06, 2006 at 01:41:42 PM PDT

  •  Where were

    you?  I am four hours south of Puerto Vallarta.

    by mango on Wed Sep 06, 2006 at 01:43:39 PM PDT

    •  This was near Cruz de Loreto...

      ...at a little eco-resort called Hotelito Desconocido.

      It's probably 60 miles as the crow flies but takes about 2 hours to drive there from PV.

      Website.  It's a magical place.

      by The Termite on Wed Sep 06, 2006 at 01:53:15 PM PDT

      •  Not familar

        with that place.

        by mango on Wed Sep 06, 2006 at 01:54:26 PM PDT

  •  I am

    four hours south of Puerto Vallarta in Melaque.

    by mango on Wed Sep 06, 2006 at 01:45:33 PM PDT

•  mango --

  Don't know your exact location, but this diary reminds me, as your username always does, of a friend of mine who was once one of those little girls. When she and her sister reminisce about their childhood in Michoacan, their fondest memories always seem to include mangoes from the trees surrounding their village.

  Luz is fortunate to have you as a friend, and not just because of the shoes.

  by melvin on Wed Sep 06, 2006 at 01:43:05 PM PDT

  •  See above.

    Lots of Mangos here.  Mango is my parrot.

    by mango on Wed Sep 06, 2006 at 01:47:22 PM PDT

    •  I am sure your mango

      would terrify my melvin, who is a dog.

      by melvin on Wed Sep 06, 2006 at 01:49:14 PM PDT

•  Way to go, Mango

  You done good.  Peace, sister.

  by trashablanca on Wed Sep 06, 2006 at 01:45:03 PM PDT

  •  Thanks

    my friend.  Did Doobie recover?

    by mango on Wed Sep 06, 2006 at 01:49:44 PM PDT

    •  Doobie is just fine

      His wounds are closed, the scabs are gone and his fur is almost fully grown back.  Funny thing, he seems sweeter and more affectionate than he was before he got bit.  It's almost like he knows how much trouble, $ and effort it took to get him fixed up...if only Repubs could be grateful.

      by trashablanca on Wed Sep 06, 2006 at 02:25:37 PM PDT

•  Sharing is a really nice experience.

  If only we could get Republicans to try it out, they might find they like it and we could have our country back.

  Thanks for that excellent sharing story. I needed it after the Torture speach today.

  by inclusiveheart on Wed Sep 06, 2006 at 01:46:46 PM PDT

  •  The speech

    really upset me too.

    by mango on Wed Sep 06, 2006 at 01:48:55 PM PDT

    •  My heart was in my throat. n/t

      by inclusiveheart on Wed Sep 06, 2006 at 01:58:50 PM PDT

      •  I know it was

        we were on the same thread, but since I can't type so fast, I was just reading.

        by mango on Wed Sep 06, 2006 at 02:01:52 PM PDT

    •  I have not seen the speech

      I assume it was more of the same, just ratcheted up.  They are starting to scare the hell out of me.

      by vigilant meerkat on Wed Sep 06, 2006 at 02:07:57 PM PDT

•  Love your story, mango

  I can see those old shoes dancing on new light feet.

  You're a gem.

  by bumblebums on Wed Sep 06, 2006 at 01:51:30 PM PDT

  •  Thanks

    bvut the exhusband would disagree.

    by mango on Wed Sep 06, 2006 at 01:52:23 PM PDT

    •  You forgot to add a "heh" to that

      Those ex-husbands do not like fiesty, self-sufficient, independent women.  

      by vigilant meerkat on Wed Sep 06, 2006 at 02:09:29 PM PDT

      •  He is ok

        he just was no good for me.

        by mango on Wed Sep 06, 2006 at 02:14:59 PM PDT

•  Ms. Mango,

  good to have a snapshot of you.  I've enjoyed your posts.

  Lovely story.  You made a child happy - a delightful day for you and her.

  by xanthe on Wed Sep 06, 2006 at 01:52:06 PM PDT

•  Thanks Mango!!

  You brought a tear to my eye with that one, as I remembered the many great experiences I've had in Mexico. I was always impressed by the people there, they were always so appeciative of the smallest of things you did for them. And despite having far less than the American public, there was always a smile on their faces. I really believe some of the poorest people there are still, personally, much happier than their American counterparts. Damn, I miss Mexico!!!

  by reflectionsv37 on Wed Sep 06, 2006 at 01:52:33 PM PDT

  •  You are

    always welcome here.

    by mango on Wed Sep 06, 2006 at 01:53:36 PM PDT

•  Good on you Mango.

  And you didn't have to start self back patting charity org to do it.

  Situations like this is way I made a bundle in Mexico, but walked out broke.

  by pinche tejano on Wed Sep 06, 2006 at 01:53:57 PM PDT

•  And then there's this

  I will never forget watching the Academy Awards soon after 9/11. I'm not even sure why this little bit struck me so, but there was something about the juxtaposition of 9/11 and it...a huge fuss was made, with interviews and photo ops of this young actress. Why? Because she had the "honor" of being chosen to wear the world's most expensive shoes by their designer. They were diamond encrusted sandals, I believe. Many shots of the shoes with the actress blathering on about how "lucky" she was to be chosen.

  Your story brings that Hollywood anecdote back.

  Sometimes it's the less fortunate among us who really "get it."

  by anotherCt Dem on Wed Sep 06, 2006 at 02:00:48 PM PDT

•  Reminds me of little American Indian

  children on a beach in high priced Charlevoix.  All the summer peoples' children had fancy surfing toys.  Two little Indian children were making due with a board full of splinters they found on the beach.  It broke my heart, but I bet they were having as much if not more fun than the other kids. Kids, puppies and kittens - too bad they grow up (in a way).  Hope you are well, Mango.  Fall is on the way.  

  by dkmich on Wed Sep 06, 2006 at 02:05:14 PM PDT

  •  I know

    are you still planning to visit?

    by mango on Wed Sep 06, 2006 at 02:06:29 PM PDT

    •  I hope so.

      We have to resolve two things.  First, the financial mess on our summer house.  The lawyer thinks the contractor should pay, but we are waiting to see how badly we get stuck.  Second is whether or not my brother will take my 95 y/o mom - she lives with us.  If we come, we are thinking Feb/March...  I will definately keep you posted and thank you for your kindness - to everyone.  Don't let the ex get you down.  Its why he is an ex...  

      by dkmich on Wed Sep 06, 2006 at 02:10:01 PM PDT

      •  I hope you

        can make it.  I am looking foreward to seeing you.

        by mango on Wed Sep 06, 2006 at 02:12:12 PM PDT

•  Wonderful story, Mango.

  If only we could get Condi to give up her Ferragamos, the world would be a better place...
  BTW your story instantly brought Van Morrison's "Ballerina" in my mind as I read it.

  by Asinus Asinum Fricat on Wed Sep 06, 2006 at 02:24:18 PM PDT

  •  Ah yes

    thanks.

    by mango on Wed Sep 06, 2006 at 02:25:47 PM PDT

  •  Of course I forgot to say that Astral Weeks is my

    all time favorite LP, and Ballerina has a very special place in my heart...I have three little daughters, so you know, it resonates with me..

    by Asinus Asinum Fricat on Wed Sep 06, 2006 at 02:27:32 PM PDT

•  Mango...

  you made me think of something...

  I'm digging through a few years of collected clothes and shoes right now, as I suspect I'll be moving again and cannot bear to drag all with me.

  I have somewhere in the neighborhood of ten pairs of shoes, ranging in size from a child's size 4 or 5.5 up to a woman's size 8 - all fairly new and some worn once.  My youngest daughter who's now 16, literally jumped from the small child's size to a woman's size 8 or 9 within about 6 months, as well as growing almost 6 inches in the last year.

  Would Luz use these shoes if I sent them to you?
  I've already given away other stuff to some other families here in my St. Therese parish. Send me an email (see my profile) if you think it's something you'd like or Luz could use...

  I've got tennis shoes, ballet-type flats, sandals, etc.

  Let me know...great story, btw, mango!

  by exmearden on Wed Sep 06, 2006 at 02:53:07 PM PDT

  •  Exmearden

    coming from you, one of my favorite writers here, a hearty thanks!  I do not know about writing, what I say is from my heart.  I will mail you.

    by mango on Wed Sep 06, 2006 at 03:03:08 PM PDT

•  I would have done the same

  And have. Hats off!

  by Auntie Neo Kawn on Wed Sep 06, 2006 at 08:38:51 PM PDT

•  This is a much better diary then any of the umpte

  ...umpteem BREAKING STORY diaries on the same subject.

  Thanks very much!

  This is just a small story,

  by BentLiberal on Thu Sep 07, 2006 at 01:47:31 AM PDT