Footprints in the sand...

I googled and it led to www.footprints-inthe-sand.com, stating "The Official Website for
Footprints in the Sand operated by the estate of Mary Stevenson .

I dedicate this posting to a mGf sweets Down Under who introduced the POEM to me (I think she tried to repay my fielding her DESIDERATA by Max Ehrmann as a sort of barter trade.:)

Enjoy The Poem:

http://www.footprints-inthe-sand.com/index.php?page=Poem/Poem.php

One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord.
Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.
In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand.
Sometimes there were two sets of footprints,
other times there were one set of footprints.

This bothered me because I noticed
that during the low periods of my life,
when I was suffering from
anguish, sorrow or defeat,
I could see only one set of footprints.

So I said to the Lord,
"You promised me Lord,
that if I followed you,
you would walk with me always.
But I have noticed that during
the most trying periods of my life
there have only been one
set of footprints in the sand.
Why, when I needed you most,
you have not been there for me?"

The Lord replied,
"The times when you have
seen only one set of footprints in the sand,
is when I carried you."
Mary Stevenson















Updated 1/1/08
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Welcome
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Footprints in the Sand has been seen in print by people the world over since the late 1940's. All that time no author has been credited with this immortal work, only 'Author Anonymous' has appeared at the bottom. This web site was created to bring to light the story behind 'Footprints in the Sand' and its author Mary Stevenson (Zangare).


For many years handwritten copies were distributed by Mary to those who needed something to give them comfort at a low point in their lives. It was sometime after this that friends of Mary saw it in print and wondered why she wasn't given credit for writing it. An attorney at that time told her that it would be very hard to prove her the author since it had been used by many publishers of religious materials and greeting cards. Mary wrote 'Footprints' in 1936 when she was very young and knew nothing of copyrighting. Discouraged she didn't pursue it any further.

In 1984 while cleaning out the garage to prepare to move from her house, in a small suitcase, among her other poems, she rediscovered a very old handwritten copy that she thought was lost. It was one of the copies Mary had made and dated 1939, just three years after she wrote the original. Later that year the U.S. copyright office awarded her a copyright for 'Footprints in the Sand' 48 years after it was written. It was another 11 years before her handwritten copy was authenticated by a forensic specialist as to its age. Margaret Fishback-Powers and many others have tried to falsely claim authorship, but none can show significant proof such as this.


Visit the Footprints Forum, a place where people exchange experiences, thoughts and ideas about how 'Footprints in the Sand' has affected their lives and what the poem means to them. Also, I would like to encourage visitors to submit letters of how the poem has impacted their lives that we will post, so they may offer inspiration to others. Suggestions to improve the site are welcomed.


Browse through and explore the site as much and often as you like. Changes will be made frequently while it's in its early stages. Tell your friends and family about us or feel free to send a link to them.

POSTscript:

It's through myGOoDfriend (I told sweets once that GOoD has the GOD in him/her, hence writ thus!)that I learnt another Rendition of FITS has been beautifully sung by Leona Lewis, my first intro to her enchanting voice, and I was besotted-- just like I did wit' Desiderata!:) in my youth. The lyrics follow:

Lyrics: Leona Lewis - Footprints In The Sand lyrics

You walked with me
Footprints in the sand
And helped me understand
Where I'm going
You walked with me
When I was all alone
With so much I no along the way
Then I heard you say

I promise you
I'm always there
When your heart is filled with sorrow and despair
I'll carry you
When you need a friend
You'll find my footprints in the sand

I see my life
Flash across the sky
So many times have I
Been so afraid ooh
And just when I
Have thought I've lost my way
[ Footprints In The Sand lyrics found on http://www.completealbumlyrics.com ]
You give me strength to carry on
That's when I heard you say

I promise you
I'm always there
When your heart is filled with sorrow and despair
I'll carry you
When you need a friend
You'll find my footprints in the sand

When I'm weary
Well I no you'll be there
And I can feel you
When you say

I promise you
I'm always there
When your heart is full of sadness and despair
I'll carry you
When you need a friend
You'll find my footprints in the sand x 2
Oooooo mmmmmmmm