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The Happiness of Socks
Most holidays you can find a basket of appropriately colored and patterned socks by my bed. Certain seasons require more socks, and others make me wonder why I should bother with a basket. Being the kind of person who prefers my feet naked, it's rather surprising that I have a thing for socks at all.
But I definitely do have a thing for socks. There's more than a few people who like holiday socks, but I love my socks so much, I have considered making them a FaceBook application. it started because of the children. I was a pre-school teacher wearing any fun bit of clothing I could find, including tee-shirts and those wonderful holiday turtle-necks. Being a pre-school teacher makes very little money, and those holiday bits of fun can cost more than just a bit of money, but socks can be purchased for just a bit or two. If you have been raised to be a connoisseur of shopping, you can get excellent prices on socks!
My socks followed me from the classroom to the office. I tend to be clumsy, so I usually watch where I am putting my feet when I walk. I think it may be impossible to see striped socks and not smile. This is an exceptionally useful tool when working in a real estate office. The numbers may have been down from previous years, but that didn't mean our spirits had to be! It became my habit to share the day's socks with specific people who enjoyed the fact that it was me wearing them instead them, as well as the lift they got when they saw my odd socks.
This thing I have for socks became so significant, that even years later, I have to say the best gift I ever got was a bag full of socks form a niece and two nephews. Some of my very favorite socks were in that bag, and Grandma has entertained countless wearing them herself. I had another favorite pair of socks for almost two years before I wore them, worried that they might get dirty and I wouldn't have them for long. Even I think my reaction to socks might be more than just a little psycho.
Then I look at my most recent acquisition. The happy face on them is nothing compared to the happiness I feel in my heart every time I look at them. They are not only special in the gift of love they were form a god-daughter who understands socks, but in the marvelous presentation of them that allowed her to feel the impact of that gift when it was presented. These silly cotton fibers represent a great deal of love to me.
So maybe this thing I have for socks is just one more quality that make others think I am crazy. I'm really ok with that. I will just gather up all the fun filled love, plan a gift for the Sock Sister who thinks of me when she's getting trinkets for her kids, and let this simple pleasure fill the empty spaces. I guess I like being "crazy" some times :P