“I recently went into a store with my youngest son and he fell in love with these shoes.
They were the most amazing shoes he had ever seen. He couldn’t wait to show them to my mom and pops.
He wouldn’t wear them in the rain because he didn’t want to mess them up.
He was so careful of every step he took in his beloved shoes.
He was so proud of the awesome new shoes he picked out all on his own.
He couldn’t wait to wear them to school because he just knew all of his classmates would think they were as cool as he did.
But then he came straight home from school, put the shoes in a dark part of the closet, and never said a word to me.
The next morning when he was getting ready, I asked him about his shoes.
He told me they were in his closet and he couldn’t find them.
I went into his closet and searched until I found them. ‘Put them on and let’s head out!’ I said.
He said he was having a hard time and I thought nothing of it.
I went over, put them on him, and hurried him out the door.
When I got to school, someone asked me how he was doing and if he had said anything to me about his shoes.
While he was in class the day before, one of his classmates said his shoes were ugly.
The teachers redirected the student and had them apologize.
But the damage was done.
The shoes my son lit up when he saw, was so careful to protect, and was so proud of, now didn’t feel right and were too hard to put on.
My mommy heart broke for him, but I wouldn’t stop asking him to wear his shoes because they show who he is and I won’t let him allow the opinions of others to change his own.
The other day, my boy was so excited to wear his shoes again, to match one of his favorite teachers. (He can’t wait to have him in fourth grade.)
Jarrod Walls always goes above and beyond for his students.
When he heard Coltey’s story, he ordered himself a pair of super cool shoes so they could be twins.
Thank you so much for all who showed my sweet boy love and support, and thank you Mr. Walls for always going the extra mile!
Buffalo Grade has the best staff anywhere.
Please SHOW your kids how to be kind.
You can’t tell them to be kind and then let your actions and words to others show them to be cruel.
Our children watch and listen to everything we do and say. SHOW them to be kind!
We are all fragile right now and need to be handled with care, especially our little ones.
It only takes a few words to break them and so many more to put them back together.”
This story was submitted to Love What Matters by Darla Collins Mullins. Be sure to subscribe to our free email newsletter for our best stories.
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