By Beverly Pellegrino, Massachusetts posted April 29th, 2009
There is a young man named Shawn who saved his grandfather’s (Bampa) western boots so that he could wear them when he grew up. When Shawn was barely 3 years old he would put his feet into the boots (with a little help) and ask his Bampa if they fit now. His grandfather would tell him that when he grew up a little bit more, he would fit into the boots. He loved his Bampa - went fishing, riding, boating, and even picking wild mushrooms in the woods with him. In the spring, on March 15, the two of them would plant peas in the garden. When the peas were ready to be picked Bampa and Shawn would stand in the garden and eat them as they picked the peas. Shawn also wanted to be a hunter like Bampa when he grew up.
Unfortunately Shawn never got to show his Bampa that the cowboy boots finally fit. His beloved Bampa died the year Shawn turned 7 years old. The boots are now worn out and do not fit any more. Shawn now would like to have another pair of boots just like his grandfather did - rattle snake style! But Shawn is now 14 years old and no longer a little boy waiting to fit into a size 9 - he is now a size 11 boot! Shawn is doing chores so he can earn enough money to buy a “real” rattle snake pair of boots.
