Remember Those Old Boots?

REMEMBER THOSE OLD BOOTS?

Some people are like a pair of old boots you've had around all your life. Back when their leather was more supple, when everything was younger, there was plenty of room to grow. Things were comfortable, then. As the years wore on, and your feet continued to grow and mature, those old boots began to seem uncomfortable. In time, you were sure of it; your feet had grown and the boots were pinching you. They had been so comfortable for so many years -- you couldn't just throw them away -- there was a lot of sentiment in those old boots. You'd been through a lot together.

So, you continued to wear them. What was a little discomfort compared to all your pleasant memories with them? But, boy, did they pinch! It became excruciating. You couldn't go more than a short distance before it became unbearable. And such a relief to get them off, to be free of that constraint! Still, something about them was compelling. It felt almost guilty to even think of not wearing them any longer. Every time you looked at them, there in the corner of your closet, you felt a twinge of loyalty to an old memory of them.

They'd been with you forever, after all, been through a lot with you. There were a lot of good memories tied up in those old boots. But every time you put them on, there was that agonizing discomfort. After a while, you couldn't even get a short distance with them any more. Every step became an effort.

It became uncomfortable even to see them there in the closet. You didn't think of the good times, any more. That was long ago. Now, you thought of the pain, the discomfort. And, there was guilt mixed in, compelling your loyalty to memories past. You couldn't wear them, any more, you knew that. You'd known it for years, even wearing them many times in discomfort just for old times' sake. But you couldn't do that any more. Why put yourself through it?

They glared at you from the closet, taunting, daring you to ignore them, reminding with guilty memories. Closing the closet doors wasn't enough, any more. You could feel them staring through. They were there. And you knew they knew. It became inevitable. It had to be done. One day, you would just have to clean out that closet. And you did. And you felt better about it ever since.