abandon the shoes that had brought you here
from “Finisterre” by David Whyte, Gratefulness.org
right at the water’s edge, not because you had given up
but because now, you would find a different way to tread,
Sometimes we have to abandon shoes, say goodbye, leave something or someone behind.
Today is my last day of summer as we define it in the world of education, not by the actual season but by the school calendar. I go back to school tomorrow. Students will come next Wednesday and the year 2022-23 will be up and running.
I will leave behind the shoes of slow mornings, lingering over coffee and conversation. When this time arrives, it’s hard not to evaluate your summer. The question to my colleagues and students will be “How was your summer?” So in one word, we evaluate how we spent our days off. “Good” “Rough” “Crazy” “Busy” “Fun” “Exhausting”
Which shoes will I reminisce about when I hear this question?
Teva sandals,
straps of yellow, pink, orange, and blue
draw attention to my feet, my yellow toenails.
I can walk through water in these shoes.
Hold steady in a river raft.
They are made of sunshine and beach shores,
strappy bathing suits and splash pad sprinklers.
I relax into them, feel summer fresh.
I will leave these at the shore of school days,
put on sensible teacher shoes,
and walk into a new school year.
If you’re brave enough to say goodbye, life will reward you with a new hello.
[Paulo Coelho]
Reflections on the Teche 
Margaret, this post is filled with sunshine and shoes walking into a new dawn. Your poem is creative, spiritual, and filled with just enough inspiration to lead you into a new school year. You leave behind the sorrow of loss, the joyfulness of grandchildren, the warmth of the bayou-all nurturing memories that will become reminders that you are strong enough to enter a new school year of early mornings, lesson plans, and beautiful smiles from students. May you found grace with a new hello.
Carol, you can read between the lines. Or maybe you just know me well. Thanks for your insightful and encouraging comment.
Margaret, thank you for the response. I could hear your sweet voice as I read your comment. I love the peacefulness of your blog entry photograph and placed it on my padlet as a beautiful reminder of peace. May I add your poem to the padlet? It is unique.
I wrote it on the spot so it’s nothing but a quick draft. I didn’t have time to go to the padlet. I may prefer to add a different one.
How wonderful! I love the happiness in these lines…all the places your shoes took you. What a wonderful way to celebrate the joy of summer. I think a fun bulletin board for a school would be…show me your summer shoes and have teachers take pics of the shoes they wore most/out in the summer with a line or two of where they were.
Thinking about you and so many others who are walking into a new school year. May it be filled with wonder and serendipity.
Margaret: Thank you for this gorgeous poem and for your courage to walk forward into the new year. My thoughts are with you…
Have a wonderful school year!
The quotes you chose are perfect, Margaret. Love this metaphor of shoes connected to hellos, goodbyes, summer, the new school year. I have one week left of summer vacation. My thoughts are with you as you return – prayers for daily strength, physical and spiritual. Here’s to sustainability and sensible shoes!
I love thinking of summer in terms of shoes. I hope you have a great school year!
I love how you wrote about your Tevas to think about your summer.
I love the (real life) metaphor of switching shoes as we switch roles, seasons. So often we talk about shifting our mindset, but we really speak with our feet, yes? May we all have a wonderful start to this school year!
Margaret, what a great post. I’m bookmarking it for another day to use as a mentor. I love the idea of changing shoes, as Chris said–real life and metaphorically. This line: “They are made of sunshine and beach shores…” gorgeous. Thinking of you as you put on your sensible shoes again this week. I love that quote by Coelho too: “If you’re brave enough to say goodbye, life will reward you with a new hello.” It makes you remember the adventures and rewards ahead as you take off your summer shoes.
Oh, I’m late to everyone’s post, but I love thinking about summer shoes. This has been a much too busy summer, but I’ve been napping with the grands each afternoon. I love an afternoon nap! Blessing as you step into your new school year tomorrow. I would be thrilled to have your shoes greet me at the door.
I admire how beautifully you say goodbye. I hope your teacher shoes are comfortable for both walking and dancing through the days. Happy New School Year!