Shoe Junkie

Some people are addicted to food (I'm one of those), some are addicted to reality shows like my wife. I'm a running shoe junkie. A more apt title for my blog site might just be "Confessions of a Shoe Junkie." Don't think I didn't consider that name when considering titles. I don't know where my obsession with shoes originated. My best guess is it was born from growing up on the wrong side of the tracks. My folks weren't rich, or even middle class, for that matter. Heck, I got hand-me-downs from my best friend. Since I had no brothers, he was the best I could do. Whenever he got tired of his old sneakers he gave them to me and I gladly accepted.

I worshipped my best friend and any chance to wear his shoes was a real honor. He was a gifted athlete and had everything in front of him until he got bone cancer and lost his right leg below the knee. He went from being this really fast kid that everyone looked up to in school, to a below-average runner in middle and high schools. After he got his artificial leg he seldom passed on shoes to me anymore. He didn't wear them out as fast so I wore what I had.

My serious addiction of shoes didn't completely surface until I got into my thirties. It worsened when I began running. The reason I can give reviews of running shoes is because I've owned so many different styles and models. From Adidas Response, Asics Kayanos, and Reebok DMX to New Balance 992's and Nike Air Pegasus, Shox, and Zooms I've tried them all. My wife and friends call me "Imelda Marcos." I'm flattered to be compared to a dictator's wife with a closet full of zapatos!

I'm learning to dial it back a little. Quality not quantity. I do a lot research prior to buying a pair of running shoes now. I read all the latest reviews, talk to people when I see them wearing a particular shoe I'm interested in, and wear-test different models until I find the one I like.

My need for running shoes and the abundance I've accumulated led to me to create a ministry at church called "Shoes for Zimbabwe." My church has supported missions work in Zimbabwe for many years. One day, I was reading about a young high school runner that was collecting gently used running shoes to send to Africa. What a great idea! I've got all these shoes lying around and I'm sure there are many like me out there that have more shoes than they need. So, I called the missionary that works with churches in Zimbabwe and then spoke to our pulpit minister and both were excited about my idea to send shoes to needy people in that region. We put out the word at church and as of today, I've collected over 150 pairs of shoes and close to $200 to help with shipping costs.

Sometimes an obsession can lead to doing something good for others. Of course, a couple of my friends, namely Jason, wondered if this just wasn't another excuse for me to buy more shoes. Hmmm. People in Zimbabwe need our help. That's my story and I'm sticking to it!

Seriously, people in that riot-torn and politically unstable area could use all your help and prayers. If you'd like to help us, I'd love to tell you how. Contact me by commenting to this story and give me a way to get in touch with you. I'd love to send as many shoes as possible by the end of September.

I hope to hear from you soon if you'd like to help.

God bless you and ever forward!



TFR