My New Blue Shoes

As a teenager I remember the day
I got my first pair of new shoes
they were blue and so awful
to wear them I wanted to refuse

the proud look upon my mother's face
left me feeling like a spoiled child
money was so very tight
so I just took them and smiled

at school I was teased and laughed at
because my blue shoes looked so funny
but with mom trying to support four kids
there often wasn't much money

hand me downs we wore often
these shoes were the only thing ever new
momma out of love bought them
even though our hydro bill was over due

the next week she worked overtime
trying to catch up on the bills
I hadn't even noticed
she was taking three kinds of pills

we got the phone call late one night
that momma had passed away
Aunt Sally came to pick us up
at her place we would stay

upon my pillow that night
was an envelope addressed to me
the meaning behind the blue shoes
I could now clearly see

it read " my dear precious child"
I am sorry money was always so tight
for once I wanted to buy you something new
and these shoes felt so right

were them and be proud
for the person that you are
forever I will be with you child
I will never be very far

I wore those shoes on my wedding day
something old, something blue
and momma was so right
when she said "I will always be with you"