Its the New Year now, and and along with remembering what an interesting, and difficult year 2008 was, I also turn my thoughts toward what 2009 might bring. A lot of changes, I have no doubt, but some new opportunities also.
A week or so ago, I had been looking through the boxes my soon to be ex-wife had left me, trying to find a pair of boots. I hadn't seen or worn these boots in quite awhile, but they are a special pair, and I was hoping they had not been thrown out in sorting.
You see, I have had this old set of leather boots for a long time. They arn't very pretty, but they are well worn in, and sort of unique. They have no laces, just a leather strap that wraps around the ankle to secure them to the foot. I've never even seen them outside of military, and even then, the only ones authorized to wear them are those who serve in Armor. I earned the right to wear this pair of Tanker boots after my first successful Table 8, down in Fort Benning GA, they served me faithfully in combat, when we deployed and fought in OIF, during the initial push in 2003. This pair of boots has been to more countries, then most people I know.
In 2004, I left Active Duty, and joined the Guard, in my home state of Minnesota, and the boots came with me.
I retired the boots from military service, but they found a new purpose, and a new life. Riding boots. Although the toe is a little high, and the heels are worn down to near nothing, these boots are broke in, and have served faithfully through crashes, Flintstones style braking, and long, long walks back to base with a broken bike.
Will they ever wear out? Possibly. But until that day comes, they'll be protecting my feet from whatever flies up from the road, keeping me walking and riding a straight and narrow path, and reminding me that,
"... you have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life."
Psalm 56:13
