Mother's, Our Walk Through Life is a Beautiful Circle

My first steps occurred on the morning of January 1, 1956.

How do I know this?

Because the one person who has been the constant witness to my powerful life has been my mother. She always carefully documented each incredible detail of my life and my growth. Each accomplishment or milestone of mine was lovingly recorded (including the tracing of my feet from the day I took my first steps.)

In a world where there is so much uncertainty, my mother continues to be the fortress for my heart. Her unconditional love for me has never been in question. The memories that we have created together are a bond that are timeless. Just like taking my very first steps, my mother was there to ensure my safety as I began each new adventure.

Mom and I are on a great new adventure again now 55-years later. The memories that we created are being challenged by an unforgiving disease called Alzheimer’s. It wants to steal my mother’s precious memories from her mind, but I know that the memories of our collective heart are indestructible and they will live forever!.

I now see how love has called me back to remember and return the favor as Mom and I continue our great walk in life.

Last week, as I aided my 80-year-old mother on our walk around the block, a memory came back to me about how she used to always hold my hand when I went somewhere unfamiliar. Now, 10 years into her Alzheimer’s and with fading vision, I realized that every step my mother takes now is unfamiliar as well. She shuffles her feet slowly as she walks now… testing for “certainty” on the ground below. To offer her the knowing that she did not walk alone, I took her hand just as she had done mine thousands of times as a small boy to let me know that everything was going to be alright.

These days, the favor of her “lifetime walk” with me is now being returned. God has place me in the position of being “underemployed” to allow me more time to create the second best years of my life with my mom.

Here is an anonymous poem that I found about a mother’s love for her child. I adapted it to fit my own heart as I realized that “Our Walk Through Life is a Beautiful Circle…Always Leading us Right Back to the Door of our Heart!”

This is dedicated to all of the precious little girls out there who grow up to become Mommies. You are the reminder to us all that love is constant and never leaves our side. Walk tall ladies, walk proud, walk tenderly …your love lives forever through your precious children.

May your walk be filled with wonder and Grace!

The Walk:

I loved you from the very start,
You stole my breath, embraced my heart.
Our life together, just begunr
You’re part of me my little one.
As mom with child, each day we grew,
My heart was filled with thoughts of you.

I’d daydream of the things we’d share,
Like late-night bottles and Teddy bears.
Like your first steps and your skinned knees,
Like bedtime stories and ABC’s.
I thought of things you’d want to know,
Like how birds fly and flowers grow.

I thought of lessons I’d need to share,
Like standing tall and playing fair.
And when I saw your precious face,
I prayed your life be filled with grace.
I thanked the angels from above,
And promised you unending love.

Each night I lay you down to sleep,
I gently kissed your head and cheek.
I counted fingers, counted toes;
I memorized your eyes and nose.
I’d linger at your nursery door,
Awed each day…I loved you more.

Through misty eyes, I’d dim the light,
And whisper, “I love you” every night.
I loved you from the very start,
You stole my breath, embraced my heart.

As mother / child our walk has been,
The best days of my life dear FRIEND.

Happy Mother’s Day to God’s Physical and Enduring Embodiment of LOVE!