Shoes and Magic
Don Schmitz & Grandkidsandme
Grandparents have an influence on their grandchildren in more ways than they will ever know. One of the big impacts on grandchildren is empathy. Grandparents can teach their grandchildren to see the world from a new viewpoint. Add to this the lively imagination of a grandchild and some pretty incredible things can happen.


It was a cool, crisp autumn day. The trees were filled with oranges and reds and winter was just around the corner. On this beautiful day, Amy and her grandma decided to go for a walk. As they walked, Amy noticed that Grandma walked slower than she remembered. Grandma wasn’t slow at other things, like reading books, playing games, telling stories or making beds.

Amy thought to herself, “Is it because Grandma is old, or tired, or does she have tired old shoes?”

Later, when Grandma was sleeping she decided to find out for herself. Amy decided to try on her Grandma's shoes.  As soon as she touched the shoes, a strange sensation came over her. She felt old and creaky and with her last bit of strength, she managed to finally pull the shoe on. She strained to stand but eventually struggled to her feet. As she looked around everything was blurry!  What was wrong with her eyes? She took a step and hurt to walk!  Her knees cracked and her back was hard to straighten out. Was this what it was like to be Grandma?

As quick as she could she removed the shoes and put them back under her Grandma's bed. To her surprise, everything returned to normal. She was young and quick and flexible again. She thought to herself, “That’s why Grandma walks so slow!”

After that, Amy continued to have Grandma read her books, play games with her, tell her stories and help make her bed. But now, when they go for walks, Amy doesn’t wonder anymore why Grandma is so slow! She knows, because she walked in her shoes.

Don Schmitz is a popular speaker and writer on parenting and grandparenting. He is the author of The New Face of Grandparenting…Why Parents Need Their Own Parents and founder of The Grandkidsandme Foundation and Grandparent Camps. Don holds graduate degrees in Education, Administration and Human Development. He is the father to three sons and nine grandchildren. Contact Don@grandkidsandme.com