when the shoe fits

Brrng! The cash register rang up the perfect size five white shoes as they were thrown into the bag as if shoes were as worthless as a bag of rocks.

This would be the first time that Rachel would bring home a pair of shoes for her daughter, Lizzie. She picked these white shoes over the pink ones with the little bow. Rachel wanted something meaningful... symbolic. The beginning of the new day, the beginning of forever. As white as a blank piece of paper.

Rachel brought that bag to the car and started her drive home. She wouldn't be like the other moms. She would treasure each scrap and scratch those shoes brought. She would probably kiss the floor they walked along. If they are ever used... a little voice said in the back of her mind.

Elizabeth has been diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy and Elizabeth, or Lizzie as her mother calls her, may never walk. But Rachel wants to motivate her and to be honest, probably motivate herself some more... maybe she will beat the odds, maybe she will find a way to get around and maybe those perfect white shoes will know the feel of dirt beneath their soles.

When Rachel turned into their drive, she stopped her car and brought that bag into the house as if bringing a possible trophy... wrapped in a possible disaster. How could she explain to Phil why she went through all this trouble?

How were shoes going to help them take on the days ahead of them? How was she going to be a good mom despite what Lizzie is going through? Phil wouldn't understand. We barely have enough money to pay the rent, why waste money on a pair of shoes Lizzie will never wear?! He would argue.

But every little girl, needed a chance at a fairy tale. and those little white sneakers sat there waiting to be placed on this Cinderella's feet and walk her way into the ball.

They may have to wait in their pristine condition up on the shelf looking at the curly little brunette until one day, they were needed.

One day she must walk, Rachel thought. But each day that passed she seemed less sure of herself. Her gorgeous 2 year old wasn't even crawling. She had no desire to move and the wheelchair. Gosh, did she fight the wheelchair. It all just seems so.. confiding... so encompassing... so final.

One afternoon, Lizzie was watching The Little Mermaid when she mumbled something to Rachel. Rachel noticed Lizzie's weary smile and decided that was enough of that. Rachel looked at Lizzie and asked her if she wanted to play dress up. Rachel got out the Cinderella dress, and crown and even the perfect white shoes for Lizzie to wear. Lizzie looked gorgeous. Rachel even let Lizzie wear some of her make up to complete the show.

Then, Rachel dressed up a teddy bear to look like a prince and invited Lizzie to dance. At first, she swung the bear around in her chair. She moved her hands and watched him fly as she moved her head back and forth. But eventually she put the bear down and used her arms to lift off the wheelchair. She stood holding onto the table and yet again lifted that prince to the air. She held him close and swayed gently, just enough to feel like dancing.

Even if those shoes didn't meet dirt, they did touch the ground and at midnight, or a few minutes later in this story, Lizzie got back in her chair and back to the life she was burdened with.

But at least once, she got to dance and at least once she was a part of our world...

As Rachel went to bed that night, a tear fell slowly down her cheek. Lizzie may never have the chance to walk, but at least, her daughter knew what she was missing out on, and discovering ways to experience it... in her own Princess style.