This Friday, June 4th, will be my 20th anniversary of working for Learfield Communications. I was going to wait until Friday before posting a few thoughts but you never know what’s going to happen. I have to say I’m having more fun now than at any time since joining the company. I like most of the people I work with enough to endure the few I don’t. As I searched for some fitting metaphor or symbol for the past two decades, I spotted my Wright Arch-Preservers on the closet shelf. I bought them sometime during my first week or so with the company on the recommendation of Jim Lipsey. I paid more than a hundred bucks for them in 1984. I didn’t know you could pay that much for a pair of shoes. Jim assured me they would last a long time.

Ten or twelve years ago I went back to the store where I purchased the shoes. They carried the same line but even from across the room you could see the quality and workmanship was no longer there. If I had to guess I say the shoe company was more profitable than ever.

I don’t wear that pair of shoes much anymore because I don’t have to wear a suit much anymore. I’ve re-soled them countless times. They are not really fashionable any longer and look a little worn up close but I can’t bring myself to toss them. The days of buying shoes you keep and wear for 20 years are probably long gone.