Embrace Your Squeak

Grace, Life Lessons, school 1 Minute 
Random weekday.
School.
7:30 am.

To my classroom 
from the elevator 
in an otherwise 
quiet corridor, 
my most 
comfy 
shoes 
squeak.

Squeak. Squeak. 
Squeak. Squeak.
Each 
irksome
footfall 
makes me feel 
meek. 

How many times 
have I met
a student's eyes?
Felt compelled 
to apologize? 

Something like: 
“Good morning. 
(insert name),
I’m wearing 
my squeaky shoes 
today.”

Finally, one,
her name is Emma,
said, “Mrs. B.,
that was me 
yesterday. 
Just embrace it.” 

My smile 
spread wide 
from cheek
to cheek. 

And when 
my most 
comfy
shoes
inevitably 
squeak, 
I stand 
a little taller, 
embrace it, 
and squeak on 
and on and on...

Embracing!

Published by Crystal Byers

When I was young, my dad would always say, "Crystal, you can choose your attitude." One day I chose to believe him.

Published

52 thoughts on “Embrace Your Squeak”

  3. Hello Crystal, Many years ago my Aunt Margaret worked at a blind school. As she made her way down the hall in the morning her shoes clicked on the floor. When she entered the classroom, the kids, who were blind, said “Good Morning Margaret” It’s important how you walk and enter a room. Squeak on! Jerry

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  4. Crystal, how do I share ALL the reasons why I love this post??? Well, it just makes me love you more. Brilliant! Squeak on my squeaky friend! 💛🤗❤️🙌🏻

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    1. An outstanding addendum, Jo!Again my smile spreads wide (from cheek to cheek). ❤️

      Speaking of sneaking, I’ve literally tested every inch of the hallway thinking I’ll be less squeaky closer to the walls or straight down the center. Maybe just left or right of center? Nope. Nothing helps…except for embracing it.

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      Reply

  16. Sweet…wishing you the best for next year. I said no to the job offer at my current school as she was going to dump on me and take me from my position this year. Such is the life in the public school district. Now, she will find someone else to dump on …

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      1. Ah, not here. There are 1000 vacancies just in the district for teachers but I might also use my proofreading skills and work for a media company part time. Who knows? And I will keep my online gig !

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      3. It is especially if people dump on you and you have the option to leave like the others did! Luckily, I will finish the year and then see options.

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  17. You figure, Crystal, a day without the squeak would’ve faded to a greyish beige. Utter anonymity.

    That’s not you. You’re an outstanding part of your students’ lives. Why should your footwear fall short?

    They’re your comfy shoes in more ways than one. Not just in how they caress your feet, but in how they embrace your soul. Let those ninja teachers glide through the school unnoticed. Not for you!

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    Reply

  22. What a clever little post my dear! BTW, I think I have those same shoes. They are skechers and I love them. I actually have multiple pairs of skechers. They rock (though I don’t think mine squeak)!

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    Reply

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