Mueller Lake Park Outdoor Amphitheater
Missing Gilbert
RECEIVED Wed., Jan. 19, 2011
Dear Editor,
They were $10 boots. Scuffed and ratty, on a row of bleachers at the Settlement Home garage sale. The perfect toe, the perfect heel, butter soft and fit perfectly. That night I wore them to my job at Antone's Home of the Blues on Guadalupe. I had always thought of shoe shines as a man's thing, but that night I asked Gilbert Alexander, or Little Daddy, as most folks called him, if he could help my new boots. He winked at me, motioned toward the chair, and gave me a thumbs-up. Gilbert was incredibly graceful of movement. From the turning up of the pant leg, it was a dance. The artful polish, the edge of the sole carefully touched up with a dark little wand of polish. It was usually loud at the club, and Little Daddy had a very soft voice. If you asked him a question, you either had to lean over and make sure you knew what he said or just nod and pretend you did. Those who did the latter missed out on his most insightful comments and humor. I used to tell him he should have been governor. He'd laugh and say, "Another time, another time.” I'm sure I spent more on keeping that pair of boots shined than I spent on my entire wardrobe through the years. He kept our souls shined. I'll miss you, Gilbert.
They were $10 boots. Scuffed and ratty, on a row of bleachers at the Settlement Home garage sale. The perfect toe, the perfect heel, butter soft and fit perfectly. That night I wore them to my job at Antone's Home of the Blues on Guadalupe. I had always thought of shoe shines as a man's thing, but that night I asked Gilbert Alexander, or Little Daddy, as most folks called him, if he could help my new boots. He winked at me, motioned toward the chair, and gave me a thumbs-up. Gilbert was incredibly graceful of movement. From the turning up of the pant leg, it was a dance. The artful polish, the edge of the sole carefully touched up with a dark little wand of polish. It was usually loud at the club, and Little Daddy had a very soft voice. If you asked him a question, you either had to lean over and make sure you knew what he said or just nod and pretend you did. Those who did the latter missed out on his most insightful comments and humor. I used to tell him he should have been governor. He'd laugh and say, "Another time, another time.” I'm sure I spent more on keeping that pair of boots shined than I spent on my entire wardrobe through the years. He kept our souls shined. I'll miss you, Gilbert.
Ruth Ellsworth Carter
