“Momma, I want to take my shoes off.  Its spring right?  That means I can go outside barefoot.”   Leah looked at her mother.  Her big brown eyes glowed as she waited for the answer.

   “Yes, it’s spring, but it’s still not warm enough to go outside without your shoes.”

   “But I’ve been waiting ever so long for spring to get here.  I saw Sydney outside yesterday, and she didn’t have her shoes on. Why can’t I go outside without mine?”

   Momma swooped Leah up into her arms and tickled her playfully.  “I know that you like to do the same things that your friend Sydney does, but I still want you to have your shoes on.  When the temperature rises to seventy-five degrees, then I’ll let you go barefoot.” 

   “Will you let me know when it’s seventy-five degrees, cause I can’t wait.”

   “Yes dear, I’ll let you know.  Now why don’t we play a game?”

   Leah and Momma spent the rest of the afternoon playing Candy Land and the Matching Game.  It was a great way to spend a Saturday and even though she had fun, Leah still thought about warm spring days, sunshine and no shoes. 

   Every morning for the next several days, Leah asked her mother, “Momma is it seventy-five degrees yet?”

   Momma always had the same reply, “No, not yet.”

   “But it’s taking so long.  When will it be seventy-five?”

   “Soon dear.  Until then you’ll have to be patient.”

   “But I don’t know how to be patient.”

   “Well, whining about it isn’t going to make the seventy-five degree days get here any sooner.”

   “It’s kind of warm outside today.  Can I play with Sydney?  Since I can’t go barefoot, maybe you’ll let me wear my sandals instead?”

   “Alright, but you have to promise me that you’ll keep them on your feet.”