This memory fits like a glove.

Today I took a stroll down memory lane while debating what color of Converse to buy. My first pair of chucks were a pair of impractical white hi-tops that I wore everyday for years until the soles gave out and they were no longer a recognizable shade of white. When I saw a pair of white chucks today I was flooded with memories from my childhood. My dad and uncles were abalone divers and many weekends were spent camping and fishing along the northern California coastline, mostly Salt Point and on rare occasions Van Damme (my mother's favorite because they had showers and my least favorite because a 3.5 hour car trip in the back of a Chevette with gear packed all around me left me claustrophobic and queasy.) I spent many weekends climbing those rocky cliffs and gazing out in the gray waters of the cold Pacific in those shoes. My second pair of Converse were the classic black and were also worn until the soles gave out and I must admit that the black pair I saw today were a heavy contender but eventually lost. I remembered wearing my black low tops with a pair of denim shorts and a black tee shirt with a gray peace sign on it while participating in a walk out to protest the Gulf War. It wasn't so much that I was against the war though that factored into my decision to walk out, but more so that it was a beautiful day and a great excuse to skip my junior high math class in order to sit outside on the grass at the track. All was great and beautiful until the neighboring high school fire alarm was pulled and we were told to go back to classes in the name of safety. During high school my black Converse finally died and I then had a pair of navy chucks that still make me happy when I think of them (again another heavy contender today) and all of the mischief and fun times I had with friends during high school. I must throw in an honorable mention to the pair of Vans that heavily resembled Converse and were a lovely shade of forest green that were worn during the same time. But today after reviewing all the memories that flooded in I decided to go with the charcoal gray pair and start some new memories in a new color and I am so glad I did so. As soon as I arrived home I strapped on my new chucks and wiggled my toes because this memory fits like a glove.