Shoes and Corn Digestion

The things we have in common!

Nov 2, 2022

It’s November!

I think that means that a Thanksgiving-themed video is allowed?

We know there’s a great deal that divides us. The list of things that should put us on different sides of the aisle is long.

Yet there’s so much that we have in common.

The stuff we have in common often gets missed, glossed over, or ignored. The shared fabric of our lives is usually everyday and mundane, not flashy or headline-grabbing.

Yet we disproportionately see the divisions.

So I’m trying to carve a different groove for myself by looking first for what brings us together. Such as shopping carts. Or shoes.

Seeing this way really does make space for much joy.

Share Your Shoes

My Shoes

In September we began inviting readers to “share their shoes” for the purpose of celebrating one of our most basic communal experiences.

Many thanks to the following readers who shared their shoes!

Dear Americans

Ali Goyette

By Ali Goyette These are my running shoes. Recently I started running again and its made me feel so alive! I'm starting out slow and so far my longest distance has been 1.7 miles but today I'll be taking these babies out for my longest run yet at 35 minutes…

8 months ago · 1 like

Dear Americans

Cory Barnes

By Cory Barnes On our first Christmas together, my wife bought these for me. Today they're carrying me to Cancun with her and two great friends. Picked only for the convenience of slipping on and off while passing through the scrutiny of America's best and brightest (the TSA), these shoes are a staple in my closet…

8 months ago

Dear Americans

Kisha Dover

By Kisha Dover Today I wore these shoes to work. They took me up several flights of stairs and all around Old City Hall in uptown. These shoes will continue to take me to work. I bought so many fancy shoes and heels for my new job. Turns out comfort wins most days that I have to go into the office. These are my go-to choice…

9 months ago · 1 like

Dear Americans

Bill Mcilmail

By Bill Mcilmail These shoes were provided for me at a former job. They are a size too big, so I wear double socks. They have taken me into my current job and have kept me standing for about ten hours each and every day. Not the prettiest but certainly durable and safe with steel toes…

9 months ago · 1 like

Dear Americans

Debby Hodges

By Debby Hodges Recently I purchased a new pair of shoes, the kind with shiny metal pieces nailed to the bottom. A month or two ago, I felt the urging in my soul to tap dance again. Why not? It’s only been 56 years since I donned a pair of these noisy, slippery slippers! Usually it’s customary to attend classes with other aspiring tapper…

9 months ago · 1 like

Dear Americans

Andrew Paden

By Andrew Paden These are my running shoes. They are sitting on our picnic table in the backyard because they got soaked from being in our bathroom during the kids bath time. They are ASICS. Because I have always worn Asics shoes for running since I was in high school. They have always fit well and I don’t see a reason to mess with something that works. …

9 months ago · 3 likes

Dear Americans

Isabel Shaw

By Isabel Shaw . These running shoes are BROOKS GHOST 14, size nine and a half. I run in them and they are my everyday shoes. In fact, I ran three miles in them today at the Riverwalk trail. They are a recent purchase and I look forward to be doing more activities in them. When the time comes for new shoes, per…

9 months ago · 3 likes · 1 comment

Dear Americans

Isaac Shaw

By Isaac Shaw These are my running shoes. Tonight, on September 20th of 2022, I went to cross country practice. It was an easy run tonight, seeing that the team will be doing some intense running soon. Yes, tomorrow is a race. We are going to run 3.1 miles in these shoes, and I plan to set a new fastes…

9 months ago

Let’s keep this going. Please share your shoes!

Share Shoes