Shoeless for a day.

When I decided to do this I have to say it wasn’t a tough decision.  If I had my choice I would be shoeless all day everyday.  I dislike the feeling of my feet all bound up in socks and shoes.  I only wear slippers when my feet get cold.  I am without shoes most of the time most days.  I am a stay at home mom with two small children, and there have been weeks I haven’t set foot outside my house.

Considering this my own excess is highlighted in the fact that I have about twenty pairs of shoes.  To some this may seem reasonable,  but it is quite ridiculous when you consider this from the Toms Shoes web site:

Most children in developing countries grow up barefoot. Whether at play, doing chores or just getting around, these children are at risk.

Walking is often the primary mode of transportation in developing countries. Children can walk for miles to get food, water, shelter and medical help. Wearing shoes literally enables them to walk distances that aren’t possible barefoot.

Wearing shoes prevents feet from getting cuts and sores on unsafe roads and from contaminated soil. Not only are these injuries painful, they also are dangerous when wounds become infected. The leading cause of disease in developing countries is soil-transmitted parasites which penetrate the skin through open sores. Wearing shoes can prevent this and the risk of amputation.

Many times children can’t attend school barefoot because shoes are a required part of their uniform. If they don’t have shoes, they don’t go to school. If they don’t receive an education, they don’t have the opportunity to realize their potential.

There is one simple solution…SHOES.

Four of the planet’s six billion people live in conditions inconceivable to many. Lets take a step towards a better tomorrow.

So that is what I tried to take part in today.  Toms shoe company held a campaign today called “One Day Without Shoes” you can read more about it here.  I did not wear shoes all day inside my house.  I did not put shoes on when I drove to our play group tonight, and I did not put any on when I got to our play group. There were a few things that struck me about living barefoot.  I live in a very clean world and by the end of the day my feet were black.  I walked twenty yards outside total.  I took out the trash, and to and from my car four times.  I walked around inside our playgroup most of the night.  I couldn’t wait to get home and wash my feet.  They were sticky with dirt.  When I sat down at group I was embarrassed to show the bottoms of my feet.  They were so dirty.  I can’t imagine in a society where classes are mixed how obvious it would be to pick out those whose feet were so dirty.  Also the idea of walking barefoot in a public bathroom really grossed me out.  So I just held it.  Our public bathrooms probably look clinical in comparison to places where Toms gives out shoes, places like this.   I also considered having my little girl join me in this event.  She eschews shoes with twice the fervency that I do.   The thought of her soft little feet walking on the gravel and pavement made me rethink it.  What if she stepped on some glass?  What if she stubbed her little toes?  How hard must it must be for parents in these countries to watch their little children go without shoes.  How much harder must it be to watch their shoeless  children go without things like education and proper medical care. If they are even able to get a pair of shoes, how long will it be until they have outgrown them?  Novalie has outgrown three sizes in the past five months.

So I went barefoot for a day.  I’m blogging about it to help raise awareness among the five people who read my blog.  And I’m buying a pair of shoes. These to be exact.  Maybe you should too.  For every pair of shoes bought Toms gives a pair to child in need some where in our world.  Who wouldn’t want to be a part of this?