Boots by the Door

The other day my son sent me a video of my granddaughter walking for the first time. She’d taken steps before but this was the real deal. She walked down the hall. Then to the back door. Then to the living room. Then she turned around and walked back to her Daddy.

Of course, I watched the video multiple times with a smile plastered to my face. There‘s no stopping her now!

As I viewed the video, I had an emotional moment. Almost tears. Not about my granddaughter but about a pair of leather work-boots sitting by the back door, almost out of view, but not quite.

I rewatched that part and took a screenshot.

How many work-boots have I seen sitting by the door over the years? A sure sign of a hardworking man.

First, my dad. His boots were always sitting by the door after a hard day (or night) of working in the lead mines.

Then there were my husband’s leather steel-toed boots. Same place but worn for a different job. He spent many years driving a roll-off truck. Now, he manages an equipment rental store and still wears boots and still leaves them by the door.

Now, my son. He’s a hardworking young welder. The boots are sitting by the door just like the ones of other hardworking men in our family who came before him.

Then this Father’s Day weekend, I saw my Dad’s boots again. But he’s in another stage of life. Now, it’s just one worn leather work-boot and a tennis shoe. Nobody knows where his other boot is.

He’s wearing them and asks Mom, “Chee Chee, what time do I need to leave for work?” His voice is tired.

“You don’t, Travis. You’re retired.”

“Oh.”

He doesn’t remember where his boot is or that he should have on two boots. He doesn’t even remember that he doesn’t have to go to work anymore.

But his wearing the boot is a sure sign that once he was a hardworking man, a good provider and a very good father.

“His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!' Matthew 25:21 (NIV)