Grade school- land of embarrassment and shame. Many elements came together that made some of these years the most mortifying. But the absolute worst day of the year was the first snow. We weren’t allowed to wear the same pair of shoes outside as we did inside because the floor would get slippery, and someone would crack his or her head open. So in fifth or sixth grade, I can’t remember the exact year, the first snow was falling and I was lacing my tennis shoes before venturing out to the bus stop. I was putting my penny loafers in my book-bag when mom came in and looked at my feet with a twisted expression. “Oh no, Amanda, those just will not do,” she said. “You are going to slip on the ice.” And then she handed me a pair of DUCKS. “Look what I bought for you.” I moaned and complained, but it was no use.

I boarded the bus and had to explain the horrors on my feet to every friend that got on and asked, “What the hell are you wearing?” At least I didn’t slip and fall that day, but the stinging memories might be worse than stitches.