Spiritual Directors International held their annual conference in Atlanta this year. My friend and I waited in line to check in at the Westin.
The Westin is 73 floors. We (spiritual directors) were not the only ones staying at the hotel. Men were in suits and ties, young women in sundresses or tight jeans and t-shirts. Other women wore black pants and loose shirts or crop pants and cardigans.
“Hey, Marjorie,” I said. “You know how to tell who is one of us?”
(It was my 3rd SDI Conference, her 1st.)
“Check out the shoes.”
She looked around the lobby. And laughed. We looked at our own shoes–Keen sandals for her and SAS sandals with adjustable velcro straps for me. We laughed even more. Spiritual Directors like comfortable, practical, wearable, walkable shoes. Sexy? Not so much.
My feet have required not-cheap, comfortable shoes for years. Even for weddings. Sigh. (I know–who looks at the mother-of-the-bride’s shoes? But it mattered to me.)
I bought a pair of black sneakers/walking shoes a couple of years ago. I chose velcro straps instead of shoestrings because rheumatoid arthritis has done some damage to my finger dexerity. (Ask my husband/kids about how I give someone “the finger” these days. It looks like it’s in code.)
Those black shoes were kind of clunky but sort of okay with long black pants or jeans.
I couldn’t wear them.
They were really comfortable shoes. But UGLY. My pride and vanity won out over comfort and common sense.
I know a woman who has no car and no money for the bus. She walks a lot. I gave her the clunky, comfortable black shoes.
She LOVES those shoes.
Amma Ponders 
Great story. See there was a reason for purchasing those comfortable black shoes — someone needed them more than you! I’m all about comfort, too.
She has about worn them out, but still thanks me whenever she sees me. That feels better than the shoes did. Thanks for reading, Bev.
I guess I could be a spiritual director, because I definitely have the shoes for the job. Thank goodness I live where we can wear sandals most of the year. Comfy closed-in shoes do tend to look old–ladyish, but I’m happy as a clam in my Birks and flip-flops.
I think you’d probably fit in just fine, Susan!