Grandma Dot's shoe has had a long retreat in Boise. It has been here with me as I accomplish a major life goal of graduating from college with a BA in elementary education and completing my first year as a full-time 3rd grade teacher. The shoe was only intending to stay for a little while, but I guess I needed it to stick around longer :-). I think it has a lot to do with letting go of past baggage, old routines and comforts in order to move forward in life. What a journey! It has been incredibly humbling graduating from college and becoming a teacher. It took a lot of time, sacrifice and energy. There were many moments of self-doubt and exhausting incidents of wanting to give up (especially in the first year of teaching)! I am so glad I did it! Now, I am looking forward to seeing where the shoe heads next and catching up with the family and their journeys with the shoe. Below are some photos of my graduation and adventures that the shoe has endured with me :-). By the way, I wore my dad's green 4-leaf clover bowling pin on the graduation gown. That one is for you, Dad! 
Graduation, May 15, 2008
We took the shoe on an overnight raft trip!
Kindergartners wanting to play with the shoe!
