new jake, old shoes

Last Wednesday, Jacob turned 7! He's looked forward to the day for a long time and ended up celebrating the entire day. We went to Lagoon, Sports-of-all-sorts, the neighborhood bbq and swimming. He lived it up and had a lot of fun!!

Among his gifts, was a new pair of running shoes. As I examined his old running shoes, I nearly burst with pride.
These shoes show all signs of a new, more active Jacob. Equipped with their second pair of shoelaces, there are holes in the seams and threads are coming undone. The soles are worn down, and the white is more of a gray by now. These shoes have been used to kick (many) balls, run, jump and ride bikes. I even caught him trying to wear them to bed one night, because they have essentially become a part of him.

Having spent some time in running shoes, I can relate. Every-so-often, you find a pair of running shoes that feel better on than off. They gradually shape to your feet and it feels like home when you slip them on. Until, alas, the sad day when they no longer offer any support whatsoever and must be passed along as garden shoes. Well, Jacob had no problem moving on, he had picked his new ones out a month in advance. He has now entered the stage in life in which he actually likes getting things like shoes for his birthday!! But, I just may keep them around to remind me of our new, active Jacob and all the miles and hard work that have been spent in these shoes. (Before I could post this, I found Jacob bribing Benjamin to try his old shoes on. Looks like we'll get some more use out of them after all!)