Getting Served

These are, it turns out, impossible to photograph. But rest assured that they are a simple crocheted slipper made with dark brown yarn, per Tommy's request. I made another little pouch to keep them in.

Tommy's first day of school is tomorrow. It's only a half-day, as there is an orientation for a few days before all the kids come by sometime next week.


It's a montessori school, and they're not allowed to wear their shoes indoors. When they come inside, they change into slippers. I let him pick the pattern and the yarn, and then I spent a couple of hours making them.

Tommy can be very sensitive to comments made by peers, and I was a little worried that one sideways comment from a classmate would make him not want to wear them any more (even though he LOVES them and how they "make me slide all over, so fast!!!") so I decided to tell him the story of his slippers.

I told him that some kids would have to buy their slippers, and that's okay, we must never put them down just because their mommy's can't make them things, but that we must know how very special it is when a mommy does decide to make something for their children. I explained that the whole time I was making the slippers, I was thinking about him, how much I love him, how proud I am of him, and all the wonderful things that I hope happen for him this school year. I explained to him that all my hopes and dreams for this special third grade year are all stitched into his slippers.

He listened intently, then said quietly, "Thanks, mommy."

I was quite satisfied that I had conveyed the enormity of the situation. "Mom?"

"Yes, my love?"

"Listen. Just. Don't tell anybody at my school that story. Okay?"

"Okay."