As a little girl I would raid my mom’s closet, find her high heels, and stumble clumsily around our house in them. I dreamed of the day, when I would grow up and finally fill her shoes.
Well, it’s been twenty years since I first dreamed of filling her shoes, and I’ve realized I never will be able to. But, I can follow in her footsteps and get pretty close to the path she’s created.
My mom’s footprints are all filled with a common theme, love. Whether it’s love of our family, love of God, or love of others… the theme is always there.
My greatest desire is to reflect the love my mom has shown to my family, to a family of my own. As a youngster, I was a momma’s girl and would often panic if left alone--- even with my dad. Why? Because everything is okay, as long as mom is around. Even when my world seems to be falling apart, my mom’s loving embrace and her soothing words makes E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G better. Everything. Including when I was learning to ride a two-wheeler and totally crashed my bike, had to deal with mean bullies, learned I couldn’t get a driver’s license at 16, and the time I watched a good friend pass away. Because of her constant love, I have always known everything will be okay. I hope to reflect this love to my future family… and it is because of her example that I look forward to motherhood and all of the love, joy, and challenges it will most certainly bring.
My mom’s love of God is yet another way I hope to follow in her footsteps. She knows her Heavenly Father, loves him, and will do all she can to serve him. Often, this is through her service in the church. My mom gives everything to each calling she’s ever been given. Her most recent calling has been in primary, and she loves it. She spends hours upon hours each week preparing sharing times, attending presidency meetings, and finding creative ways to share her testimony with the children in her ward. She knows God loves her; she loves him, and wants to share this love with everyone! Because of her example, I have always known about my loving Heavenly Father and have in turn desired to share this love with others. If I can fulfill my callings even half as well as my mother I’ll be doing fabulous!
My mom’s love of others is yet another example I want to radiate. My mom’s philosophy is to love others, and let them decide what to do with it. Just this past month, she demonstrated again the importance of loving others. We have some difficult neighbors, who have children that often roam around the neighborhood, destroying property. One day, I came home from school rather annoyed. A few of the children were throwing gravel in the area where I park my car. They had been told numerous times not to play in the area, and I was irate. Being the mature adult I am, I stormed into the house and vented to my mom. Instead of getting angry she found some candy, and went to talk to them. She was able to show them she genuinely cared and as a result they have reflected kindness back. This is just one very simple example of her ability to love everyone. She has literally touched countless lives with her love, and I hope to fill my footsteps with this same kind of love.
Because of her amazing example in every aspect of her life, I don’t imagine I will ever fill my mom’s shoes; but I can definitely follow her footsteps. And maybe, one day, when the journey of life is over--- I’ll be able to look back and see my footprints of love following closely behind hers.