Velcro or Laces

Seems like a simple question but if I am asked this question (not like it's a common debate) I will say "Laces. Definitely laces."

In an ever progressing world where we all seem to try to do things that will save time and be more convenient or efficient, the Velcro shoe was the best invention since, dare I say it, the remote control TV. Sure it was great. Parents didn't need to stop progress during their morning rush to get the kids ready for school and themselves to work, children had a sense of accomplishment to be able to dress themselves, and no more looking for the lost lace that the dog pulled out of the shoe during a game of tug-o-war. Velcro was fast and easy. Anyone could secure almost anything they wanted to. I think we all fell a little bit in love with Velcro. Before long most every child I knew did not know how to tie shoes or a bow of any kind because their shoes used Velcro not laces. I remember feeling that the universe was not quite right the first time I had to show a ten year old how to tie a bow.

But probably the main reason that I'm a laces over Velcro gal is based on a car ride home with my step- children. It was winter and it had been raining for what seemed to be like weeks. This particular night the rain was working with the wind to create quite a lot of excitement on the highway. We were about 15 minutes from home when an especially strong gust of wind side swiped us and whipped my window wipers back causing one of them to bend 180' the opposite way. I pulled the car over and jump out to bend the wiper back to position but in so doing, the wiper broke off. Frustrated I climbed back into our SUV and sat there feeling defeated with rain dripping off my hair and face as if I were still standing outside of the vehicle. The kids looked at me like, "So now what? How are you going to fix it?" I strummed my fingers on the steering wheel and looked blankly in front of me at the injured wiper. I knew driving home without wipers was out of the question. Too dangerous with the sheets of rain still falling. The wind alone made it a struggle to keep on the road. I started opening all the compartments in the car to see what I might be able to use or inspire me. As I fumble around I must have been sharing my thoughts out loud because the kids started listing off options like bungle cords or rope. Good ideas but not something I typically carry around. Gosh, if I only had some twine or a cord. Then it came..."Tevin, do you by chance have your basketball shoes on?"

"yes," he replied.

"Would you be willing to...?" He knew what I was thinking.

"Oh, yeah, my laces!"

"Want to sacrifice it?"

"Sure!" He was now a very excited 9 year old knowing he helped to 'save' us.

That was that. I took his shoe lace and pushed my way back out into the gusty rain storm to tie the wiper on with a shoe lace. The three of us drove home safely, feeling pretty proud of ourselves for having thought of such a "McGuyver" move and thankful that sport shoes don't come with Velcro. That lace lasted for three more days before I was able to get a replacement wiper.

So, Laces definitely laces.