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Community Corner

If the Shoe Won't Fit

It happens to all of us. We buy nice "Easter" shoes every year. Kids wear them once. And then they grow out of them. Repeat Cycle. Now I have a solution.

With just a few days until Easter, I’m stressed out. It’s not because I’m hosting a cast of thousands, or that we haven’t dyed Easter Eggs or even because I “accidentally” ate an entire bag of Mini Eggs that was slated for baskets. No, it’s bigger than that.

It’s what my kids will wear on their feet on Sunday.

Am I alone here? I can find a clean pair of khakis and a button down shirt for my 10-year old son to wear. Should be easy, as the only “nice” clothes he has never make it onto his body (T-shirts and wrinkled pants are so much more appropriate for school, you know).

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My 6-year old daughter got a cute outfit for her birthday that was slated for this weekend, so the sweater/skirt combo will be perfect.

As for the toddler, I’ll strap on a headlamp and head into the cave of Rubbermaid bins that are stacked in my attic (a.k.a. “The Hand-Me-Down Forest”). I’m sure that with a keen eye (and an insane amount of luck), I’ll find something that will suffice.

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To quote Fashion guru Tim Gunn, I’ll do my best to “make it work.”

The shoes, on the other hand, are a different story. For so many years, I would buy a nice pair of suede bucks for my son and adorable little black patent leather party shoes for my daughter so that they would look the part on Easter Sunday. And about $45 later, those shoes would be worn once (and not willingly, I might add) and then sit in the closet until the following year when I would try unsuccessfully to jam the kids’ feet into the now-too-small shoes for a second wear. Writing this, I’m realizing how utterly insane it is!

This year, I’m taking a stand. Come on, admit it, every mom reading this is nodding her head thinking, “yup, I do that too” and all fathers are rolling their eyes but feeling somewhat comforted knowing that their wives are just as crazy as all of the others. There has got to be a better way – and I think I have it.

Stay with me, people.

I’m calling it “If the Shoe Won’t Fit,” and it will be like the Blockbuster Video of Easter Footwear. Let’s get organized and put those thousands of once-worn shoes together (twice-worn if it was a First Communion Year) and simply “check them out” when you need them. Just think of the money we’ll save!

Perhaps the Dedham Public Library will see the synergy with this venture and offer us a few extra shelves to display the different sizes. Instead of a library card, you’ll have a “sole patch” that keeps track of when your shoes are due back for others to check out.

Of course, if my brilliant idea doesn’t catch on quickly, then don’t judge the Shummys when their crisp Easter ensembles are paired with soccer cleats, fur-lined Crocs and Puma sneakers. If, however, you find this unacceptable, I’m looking for a pair of size 4 bucks, size 13 party shoes and size 5 toddler loafers. Lightly scuffed soles acceptable.

Make it work, people, make it work.

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