time to let go

Today was a mushy, slippery, wet kind of day as you probably noticed.  So, when I had to go out this afternoon, I decided to wear an old pair of boots to save some wear and tear on my dressy black boots.  I actually have been planning to take these old boots on my trip to Finland in March because I understand we will need some sturdy snow/walking boots.  As I was walking around the large room where we hold our tutoring sessions, I noticed a funny flapping feeling down by my feet.  After the kids left, I checked out my good old boots and discovered that the soles had worked loose at the toes.  I had to walk carefully to avoid tripping.  I cautiously made my way to my car but by the time I got across the messy parking lot one sole fell off just as I was getting in my car and the other one had peeled more than half way off.  I peeled it the rest of the way off and drove home and walked into my building on the thin layer of sole that was left on each boot. I pitched the useless soles in the trash barrel by the entry from the garage and made it up to my apartment without loosing any more boot parts.  Then, after remembering that these boots are at least 35 years old (bougth when my husband and I were into cross-country skiing) and have been re-soled once, I made myself throw them away.  So sad, but now I can go boot shopping. There's always a silver lining.