The Nice Thing About Strangers
Creative Non-Fiction Short Stories. :) Travel, Oldsters, Love, and Compassion.
If The Shoe Rips
There’s a Norman Rockwell-styled advertisement featuring a cobbler diligently crafting some durable soles. He is sketched in a moment of peering up from his trade to twinkle at the artist. White hair and matching mustache, he rests under a long apron dusty from effort. This poster is featured on a wall in the shoe repair shop entryway–on the border keeping customers away from the work area. It hangs over a stack of freshly repaired ostrich cowboy boots. Nearby pairs of unclaimed leather dress shoes await a special occasion. A set of tap shoes gleams under the fluorescent light.
And the owner of the shop ambles up–like the caricature on the wall come-to-life-sans-‘stache. He brushes his white hair back, then wipes his hand on his long blue apron. He peers at the claim ticket and cranes his neck up to inspect the smiling face of my very tall brother, here to fetch some mended sneakers.
No credit cards, the sign reads. No need. The fee is small, the repairs are honest. And the little old man goes back to his duties with a nod and a request that we should have a nice day. We scuff our shoes on our way to the car, mentally scanning the bottoms of our closets in a pledge to become return customers.
-Colorado Springs, Colorado
The Nice Thing About Strangers 
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just started reading these posts….they are gems, Paige 🙂 grateful for them 🙂
Reblogged this on The Nice Thing About Strangers.
Reblogged this on Journaling A Marvelous Life — my daily thoughts about nothing and commented:
This writers work is insightful, thought provoking, a true gem.
I began reading her a few months ago. Each read is so delightful when finished I find myself lingering for a few long seconds until a smile appears on my face. It’s a great part of my day. I hope you enjoy this repost of her work.
I am on holiday! Self imposed delightful holiday from writing my blog. . .please be patient with me while I enjoy my time away.
Wow I liked this made me feel good………………..
I just loved this moment of life imitating art! I’m sure he knows of the resemblance, but it’s a great touch to see the sketch next to the cobbler. 🙂 Thank you, Joanne!