Happiness

I knew the poem, just not the name and how appropriate it was. The emotion began with a flash of envy. One soggy Houston night I was trying to assiduously cross the street from the parking lot to the church for choir. I have a pair of Land’s End rain shoes that look like patten leather, yet shed enough water to keep feet dry. They were not adequate for stepping from street over the gutter to the curb without a slosh into the shoes. Suddenly a composed vision appeared. A college girl had on jodhpurs tucked into Hunter black knee high rain boots and was chatting with a friend showing no concern about where her feet went. She was prepared.

Even if I could match her wardrobe, the faintest hope did not exist I could pull off her sangfroid composure. Hopefully though, I could at least be saved from awkwardly clomping and still have dry feet. At a family dinner, I mentioned how appropriate the boots were and how sure I was they would solve any future problems. This statement was made stronger by our just coming though a several week stretch of rain and more rain leaving an abundance of soaked, soggy ground.

Next, another hindrance existed. Not only fashion, but cost was was in the mix. I’m a second generation depression child and frivolous spending unleashes heavy guilt. However, an attuned daughter sent a text. “IF you really want the boots, your daughter-in -law and I will give them for an early birthday gift.” I went to the site and could decide the “really want” did not apply to knee length. A pair of yellow ones, my favorite color, in calf length were on sale. I hit the reply button that said,”Yes!”

They came, along with continuing rain. The box was not just six sides with tape in the middle. It was custom made for the shape of the boots. With socks, they fit perfectly, shining over black chino pants or even blue jeans. They wouldn’t do for a five mile hike; however, I can now take out the garbage can with dryness or run in the grocery store with a little smidgen of sangfroid.

The A.A. Milne poem starts, “John had Great Big Waterproof boots on..” He adds a mackintosh and a hat to be totally rainproof, and then declares, “And that (said John) is that!” The title of the poem is “Happiness.”

When you go through deep waters, I will be with you.

Isaiah 43:2