Those damn winter blues seem to hit me every year regardless of what is going on in my life. Last year I was going through some up and down shit with the death of my grandmother, the birth of my second daughter, and the publishing of my memoir. This year I'm having financial/employment issues that have burdened me a bit - but I've stayed positive, prayed, and left it all in God's hands. Around two weeks ago I gave my notice at a company that I've been with for nearly six years. I'm simply burnt out. I had plans of working a part time job (barbering) and finally going back to school after a ten year absence - but maybe that is not in God's plan for me at the moment. I've had several new job opportunities come up in the past few days and I'm going to take the ball and run with it. Recovery is a wonderful gift as I'm able to deal with life's problems as they arise and not just run from them by downing a bottle. 


"Footprints in the Sand" was one of my favorite stories as a child. My mother had a portrait of the poem itself and it hung in the hallway of our house. I'd like to share it all with you. 

One night a man had a dream. He dreamed
he was walking along the beach with the LORD.

Across the sky flashed scenes from his life.
For each scene he noticed two sets of
footprints in the sand: one belonging
to him, and the other to the LORD.

When the last scene of his life flashed before him,
he looked back at the footprints in the sand.

He noticed that many times along the path of
his life there was only one set of footprints.

He also noticed that it happened at the very
lowest and saddest times in his life.

This really bothered him and he
questioned the LORD about it:

"LORD, you said that once I decided to follow
you, you'd walk with me all the way.
But I have noticed that during the most
troublesome times in my life,
there is only one set of footprints.
I don't understand why when
I needed you most you would leave me."

The LORD replied:

"My son, my precious child,
I love you and I would never leave you.
During your times of trial and suffering,
when you see only one set of footprints,
it was then that I carried you.