#137 Put My Little Shoes Away

It’s been too long since I’ve written. Many, many cute things have been said and forgotten. But, I begin again.

A song that has been handed down from my grandmother to my mother, and from my mother to me, I now sing to my children. It’s Jack’s favorite. He requests it as often as as he requests a lullaby. It tells of a small boy who is dying, and he wishes for his mother to put his shoes away—saving them for his baby brother when he grows bigger.  It is sung from the boy’s perspective and some of the repeating lyrics are,  “Do this one thing for me, Mother; put my little shoes away.”

One night, after I had finished the song, Jack sat in silence a few moments. Then, sweetly he asked, “Mama, did that really happen?”

Assuming that most folk songs have been inspired by people’s real experiences, and hoping for the feeling to sink deep into Jack’s heart I said, “Yes. It did.”

He was quiet a few moments and very thoughtful. With the sincerity of a sweet five-year-old he said tenderly, “That’s sad.”

It worked; the sweet sentiment had touched him. He continued, “And weird that he would sing about it.”

Annnnd.... back to five-year-old-boy logic. Clearly, Jack was right. If the boy had actually sung his request, it would have been strange—I should have clarified. Jack, you are too lovable!