BarefootThis week I have been in Pasadena, about 12 miles north of where Jamaica and I live in downtown Los Angeles. I’m in meetings all week with the Foursquare board of directors and, because the schedule runs from early morning through late evening, I usually stay at the hotel with the rest of the board. This provides a variety of conveniences, including a commute that lasts as long as an elevator ride! It’s also nice when Jamaica can come and stay with me which has been the case this week.

Last night I returned to the room after a long day of deliberations. Jamaica had arrived a few minutes before me, herself returning from a small group we’re a part of that communes with a handful of our homeless friends each week.

One of our homeless friends last night was barefoot and had lost her shoes. In a blink, Jamaica took her shoes off and gave them to our friend. If you don’t know my wife, this is the way she’s wired. It’s second nature for her to give sacrificially.

The funny part of this story is when Jamaica came back to the hotel. As she got out of the car and gave the keys to the valet (the only way to park at this hotel), the attendant noticed she was barefoot. “Are you a guest here?” said the valet guy. “Yes, I’m in room 621.”

Then she walked through the fancy lobby and up the elevator and to our room.

Barefoot.

I love my wife.

If you don’t have anyone to give your shoes to, perhaps you should consider a $5 donation to Soles 4 Souls which gets two pairs of shoes to people in need.

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