Momcology
In support of
#miraclesforAvryJo
View Support Registry
#miraclesforAvryJo
July 9, 2025
Our Momcology support group sent me a beautiful package and this poem. I couldn’t have said it better—
A Pair of Shoes
I am wearing a pair of shoes.
They are ugly shoes.
Uncomfortable shoes.
I hate my shoes.
Each day I wear them, and each day I wish I had another pair.
Some days my shoes hurt so bad that I do not think I can take another step.
Yet, I continue to wear them.
I get funny looks wearing these shoes.
They are looks of sympathy.
I can tell in others eyes that they are glad they are my shoes and not theirs.
They never talk about my shoes.
To learn how awful my shoes are might make them uncomfortable.
To truly understand these shoes you must walk in them.
But, once you put them on, you can never take them off.
I now realize that I am not the only one who wears these shoes.
There are many pairs in the world.
Some people are like me and ache daily as they try and walk in them.
Some have learned how to walk in them so they don’t hurt quite so bad.
Some have worn the shoes so long that days will go by before they think
about how much they hurt.
No one deserves to wear these shoes.
Yet, because of these shoes, I am a stronger person.
These shoes have given me the strength to face anything.
They have made me who I am.
I will forever walk in the shoes of a parent of a child diagnosed with cancer.
-Author Unknown
It has become an annual tradition for us to share this poem on Mother's Day weekend. It is one of the reasons why our connection as parents of children with cancer is so important. It is not uncommon for the entire family to feel alone and isolated after a childhood cancer diagnosis. We have witnessed unbelievable healing through peer support and community, and we are honored that Momcology is an organization that is actively helping to make support connections happen every day through our programs. This poem is in honor of all parents who have felt this unique pain and somehow found the strength to not only carry on, but to help others too.
#Momcology #CommunityMatters #MoreTogether #ChildhoodCancerSupport
Our Momcology support group sent me a beautiful package and this poem. I couldn’t have said it better—
A Pair of Shoes
I am wearing a pair of shoes.
They are ugly shoes.
Uncomfortable shoes.
I hate my shoes.
Each day I wear them, and each day I wish I had another pair.
Some days my shoes hurt so bad that I do not think I can take another step.
Yet, I continue to wear them.
I get funny looks wearing these shoes.
They are looks of sympathy.
I can tell in others eyes that they are glad they are my shoes and not theirs.
They never talk about my shoes.
To learn how awful my shoes are might make them uncomfortable.
To truly understand these shoes you must walk in them.
But, once you put them on, you can never take them off.
I now realize that I am not the only one who wears these shoes.
There are many pairs in the world.
Some people are like me and ache daily as they try and walk in them.
Some have learned how to walk in them so they don’t hurt quite so bad.
Some have worn the shoes so long that days will go by before they think
about how much they hurt.
No one deserves to wear these shoes.
Yet, because of these shoes, I am a stronger person.
These shoes have given me the strength to face anything.
They have made me who I am.
I will forever walk in the shoes of a parent of a child diagnosed with cancer.
-Author Unknown
It has become an annual tradition for us to share this poem on Mother's Day weekend. It is one of the reasons why our connection as parents of children with cancer is so important. It is not uncommon for the entire family to feel alone and isolated after a childhood cancer diagnosis. We have witnessed unbelievable healing through peer support and community, and we are honored that Momcology is an organization that is actively helping to make support connections happen every day through our programs. This poem is in honor of all parents who have felt this unique pain and somehow found the strength to not only carry on, but to help others too.
#Momcology #CommunityMatters #MoreTogether #ChildhoodCancerSupport
Comments
Kathryn Torkelson
Jewel Nolt