Leaving Footprints

Around Thanksgiving last year our neighbor passed away, only 6 weeks after being diagnosed with cancer. He was a quiet man that we did not know very well. Sad to say, but we lived across the street from each other almost 10 yrs and I really only knew a few things about him...his two children, that he loved to do yardwork, he was kind & always waved as we passed. During his memorial service we learned a lot more about the person he was, his character, his faith. One of his close friends suggested during the memorial service that everyone GOOGLE Willy's name to see all his online posts and to really know his heart, passions, thoughts and love that he felt for his family. Late one night I decided to 'Google' him. I thought it was so awesome to really get to know him from his posts, journals & misc. things he was involved in. It is an amazing gift to his children to be able to read their Dad's thoughts and to have that even after he is gone.

I started thinking...I have paper journals that I wrote in while I was raising Kam. I have put them in a box for him to have someday. Mostly so he would know my inner thoughts, my silent fears, my heartfelt wishes & worries. I wanted him to have record of how much I loved him & wanted him to know me well if anything were to happen to me before we had time enough together. I was a single mom for 13 years of his life and guess I worried that there would be no record of our life together (since he was so young, he may not remember some of the moments I did). It was my job and duty to remember our life for both of us & being a mom, I felt it was important that little life lessons be inserted as I learned them too! I also used the journals as a way to get my thoughts out, since I didn't have a spouse to share the 'grown up concerns' of our world.

Today my life is much different, as I raise two more beautiful children. I am so fortunate to have a husband that knows me and would gladly share his memories of me. But, if you know me, then you know that there is always more detail to share and this is my way of doing that. So I began this blog...My little children are so young still and I think its important to leave a legacy (my footprints for them to see). Also, I want to keep in touch with my extended family and friends and share special moments, fun memories and opinions on things. This won't appeal to everyone and that's okay. It is really more for me anyways. If you have been invited to come in, then consider it an offer & a compliment that I want to share with you so much of my life, my treasures & my memories. If you have stumbled upon this, I hope you enjoy. I am not sure where it will go...

One of my all time favorite quotes comes from the movie "Soul Food". I have had this posted on my fridge for years.

"Build a strong family, rich in tradition, and leave love in your footprints."