Vol.8, No.41,
2005
Dr.
McCann's Oxfords By Jan Neilsen
Something I
always admired and learned from my mom
was the attitude that if theres
something you want or love in this life,
be passionate about it.
Not only did
mom have passion regarding good things
in her own life, she did her best to
cultivate this same kind of enthusiasm
in all of us, which brings us to Dr.
McCanns oxfords.
Dr. McCanns
oxfords were sold exclusively through
the T. Eaton Company and they were just
what mom had been looking for when she
discovered them in their Fall and Winter
catalogue.
Theyre
wonderful, she exclaimed over
the phone. They have air cushioned
liners, the arches are designed to support
your foot. Theyre 100% leather
and the heel is just the right height.
I honestly thought
for a moment mom was describing mens
shoes. Not only were they the most comfortable
supportive shoes mom had ever worn,
I think mom was actually convinced she
was going through life at twice her
normal speed when she was wearing her
Dr. McCanns. Wanting me to have
the benefits of her good fortune she
mailed me a pair as a gift in the color
black.
But mom,
I offered in our next phone conversation.
These arent the kind of
shoes I would usually wear.
Nonsense,
came the reply. You simply wont
believe the comfort youll experience.
I want you to try them. Youll
be thanking me.
Dr. McCanns
oxfords were what youd call sensible.
Something along the line of what the
ladies in the military during World
War II were called upon to wear. Sturdy.
Wider at the toes, laced up the front
and good for marching in. I was a young
working mom at the time and if the heels
on my shoes werent high enough
that I could fall forward on my face
at any given moment, they werent
for me. They may not have been that
practical but they sure looked good.
Each time mom
phoned it was the same thing. How
are the Dr. McCanns working out?
Was I right?
Well you
know mom, I really havent....
Well youre
really missing out on a good thing.
You wont believe....
Realizing the
longer I put off wearing my Dr. McCanns,
the longer I would be hearing about
them, I decided to try them out in safe
places; like when I was cleaning the
basement or working in the garden. I
reasoned if anyone stopped by theyd
realize these werent the kind
of shoes I would wear under normal circumstances;
but something happened I hadnt
planned on. It turned out mom was right,
and although I didnt quite have
the epiphany mom had, I soon realized
I was on the cusp of a life changing
experience for my feet. Like her, I
felt I was accomplishing more in less
time; certainly more comfortably. And
I was appreciative of her for persevering
with me.
Of course
I only wear them with matching black
slacks, I told mom in our next
phone visit.
Mom was delighted.
Was I
right? Didnt I tell you?
A short pause, and then, Youll
never guess what I came across in the
Spring catalogue. Its just what
you need in your kitchen, It comes in
two different colors. It has a ....
Except to say
that once again mom was onto something,
thats a whole other story.