going barefoot

I have loved going barefoot all my life. People have been amazed to see my barefoot tracks through snow a few times. Mud, cow manure, rocks... nothing stopped me, or really bothered me. Shoes were for wearing to Church, school, shopping, and so forth. The first thing I did when I walked in the door was slip off my shoes. Even as a youngster I was the source of many family jokes, because I refused to wear shoes.

Until a couple of years ago, that is, when I developed plantar fasciitis, known to some as heel spurs. Suddenly, going without shoes hurt like crazy, and I couldn't wait to put on my shoes with specially-made inserts in them. It was the only way to stay pain-free. Later on, both my big toes started hurting too, when I was shoe-less; and the inserts relieved that pain also.

I sure did miss the freedom of going barefoot in the cool grass.

Then this past spring, because it was muddy outside and I didn't want to get my shoes dirty, I went out barefoot. I was taking pictures with my digital camera and also playing with the dog, and after about forty-five minutes, I realized my feet didn't hurt anywhere. Until I came back inside the house, and then within five minutes I was washing my feet so I could hurry and put my shoes-with-inserts on.

I started experimenting, and this is what I've found: As long as I'm walking on grass or dirt, I can go barefoot all day if I choose. I've started leaving my shoes behind when my husband go for our daily walk in the pasture. No pain.

It's like a gift: I can go barefoot again where it really matters... outside.

I really don't understand why, but I'll take any gift I can get. Thank You, God!