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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Tie (02/28/13)
At four, I learned the sad truth that the world outside my neighborhood had requirements for inclusion. I rather expected that I would show up at school and be accepted, just like in my neighborhood. Then, it happened; tribulation entered my life.

“I’m sorry, Honey, but this parents’ letter says that you must know how to tie your shoes before you can go to school. When Daddy comes home from work today, he’ll teach you.”

I wondered if, behind Mom’s smile, she was hoping that he could. My sister had tried to teach me to tie my shoes since the very day she had acquired the skill. It mattered not how many times Donna, with the patience of Job, demonstrated her spoken instructions; I just couldn’t get my pre-school fingers to successfully manipulate the laces. One or two paces after fashioning something similar to a bow, the laces hung as forlornly as ever down the sides of my shoes.

“Now, Punkin, the first question in learning to tie your shoes is the most important.” Daddy’s eyes twinkled, but his lips formed a straight line; I waited for a smile that didn’t come. “Are you ready to learn to tie your shoes, even if it means a lot of practice?” He waited until I nodded with vigor; I didn’t smile. “Okay, let’s see you untie those shoes.” I was good at untying my shoes; sometimes, they even untied themselves.

“Take the lace of the left shoe and I’ll take the one here on the right. Make a loop just like this.” Daddy watched as I tried. “Now, take the other lace and bring it around like this.” Daddy did it easily and watched as my clumsy attempt caused me to loosen the loop, which made it fall.

“I can’t do it, Daddy; I really can’t. Ple-e-ease, ask them to let me go anyway.”

“It’s the rule, Punkin. Don’t you want to learn to tie your shoes?”

I hung my head, tossing my dark-brown, sausage-like curls from side to side as I offered my sobbing, wordless reply. Daddy reached out and took me in his arms. “Okay, Punkin, go play. Today’s not the day for me to teach you how to tie your shoes.”

I turned my tear-streaked face up; his radiant smile focused right on me. “But, Daddy, I can’t go to school until you do.”

“I know, but you’re not old enough to go yet, so you don’t need to know right now, do you?” I smiled back, the sparkle returning to my deep, chocolate-brown eyes. I squeezed my Daddy with all my might, grabbed the ball I’d put down when called, and out the door I sprinted.

The next afternoon, as soon as Daddy crossed the threshold, I latched on to his hand, tugging him to the first chair inside the back door. He sat, a broad grin on his face. I burst out my news. “Daddy, Butchy got new shoes today and, guess what? They don’t have any laces. They have a flap with snaps on the ends. You just push down; that’s all. Oh, Daddy, isn’t that good news? You can buy me a pair of those shoes for school!” Joy poured out of my dancing form, dark curls bouncing in time with my clapping hands.

Pulling the familiar old pipe out of his lips, Daddy’s fingertips scratched the start of his five o’clock shadow. “Well, the problem is that they don’t make snaps on the saddle shoes little girls wear to school.”

His words burst my bubble, and I slumped in a heap on the hard-wood floor. My Daddy reached down and lifted me to his lap. “Shhh, it’ll be okay. I know that you can learn to tie your shoes; we’ll work on it together.”

“But, Daddy, why do girls have to wear shoes with laces? I can’t--” Daddy’s gentle fingertips pressed against my lips.

“Punkin, do you want to go through the rest of your life trying to find a way around the rules; or do you want to do things Daddy’s way?”

He always knew just the right thing to say. Sliding off Daddy’s lap, I plopped my small body on the floor next to his feet, and began untying my shoes.

All the way to school that first day, I couldn’t take my eyes off the laces I’d tied on those brand-new black and white saddle shoes. Daddy’s way rid my heart of fear, and left behind an indescribable joy.

Author’s Note: This is a true story.
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This article has been read 1486 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
PamFord Davis 
03/07/13
I could see you as a little girl wanting so much to go to school, but unable to tie your shoes. It brings back memories of my Dad teaching his children and grand children to tie shoes with the "bunny" method, using two loops. In school, I learned the traditional way.

Wing His Words!
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
03/07/13
This is such a sweet story. I imagine things have changed since you started school and my youngest did. I was her room parent and it almost seemed that the teacher and the helpers spent more time tying shoes than teaching! In fact, the teacher made a big board with little shoes to encourage kids to tie their own. Once they could, their name was on the board. In the beginning only one child out of 20 or 22 could tie her own shoe. MY daughter was determined to get her name on the board ASAP so like your MC she struggled and worked hard. I love the last paragraph. It just says it all.
Amy Michelle Wiley 
03/08/13
"Around the rules... or Daddy's way?" What an allegory of meaning behind that phrase and this story. Very cute and well-done!
C D Swanson 
03/08/13
What a sweet and tender story. Your dad showed, loved, patience and compassion...all signs of a wonderful Christian daddy, reminds me of my late dad.

This brought back memories of learning to tie shoes. I was fortunate however, being part of a Christian school, the girls had to wear, patten leather black shoes with a T-strap. So, all I had to do was slip them on! But, I do remember the saddle shoes, mainly from "Buster Brown" with the puppy inside the shoes!

I LOVED this poignant story of anticipation, determination, and love.

Nicely done.

God bless~
Bonnie Bowden 
03/11/13
This dad is very wise and patient. I didn't have trouble with tying shoes, but buttoning my coat.
Virgil Youngblood 
03/13/13
I enjoyed the clarity of this tenderly written story. Well done.
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
03/14/13
Congratulations!! Happy Dance!
Christina Banks
03/14/13
I'm smiling at your sweet story. I loved your last paragraph. If only we would all follow Daddy's Way. Congratulations on your EC!
C D Swanson 
03/14/13
Dannie! Congratulations my friend on your most deserved EC! I didn't have a chance to read all of the entries...but certainly was glad to have read yours!

NICELY DONE!!!!!!

God Bless~
PamFord Davis 
03/14/13
C-O-N-G-R-A-T-U-L-A-T-I-O-N-S!

Wing His Words,
Pam
Bea Edwards 
03/15/13
What a great piece of storytelling. "Do you want to go through life trying to bend the rules or do it daddies way?"
Profound doesn't do that statement justice! Well done.
Charla Diehl
03/20/13
This sweet story conveys the tenderness between a father and daughter through his patience and wisdom. Thanks, judges, for putting this one on the EC list.