“No secrets,” 6″ x 9″ watercolor, © Donna Lyons 2015
By Marty Coffin Evans © 2016
Not long ago, I picked up the paw print of our little white poodle, Scooter. Baked into a round piece of clay and located beside his name and print was a small red heart. Our vet provided this momento following Scooter’s passing.
Having this paw print got me thinking about that concept. While tangible, his prints were on our hearts and lives.
If DNA were needed, his prints could be found and verified on the car’s ignition switch, where he’d managed to step as we drove to the vets for the last time together. The car stopped midway down the driveway as a result of this step. Laughing, I put the car back in gear and started it again.
Did we need a little fresh air for that trip? Here again he “helped” by putting one of his paws on a control, opening the window behind me. Dusting for his paw prints in the car could easily have shown his constant desire to assist in driving or was it just getting a better view out the front window?
We’ve heard the phrase about something being imprinted on us. Perhaps this action refers to an early influence or impression, most likely by family members. Experiences may be imprinted in our memories of both the good and not so great. Their impact may remain with us and contribute to how we live our lives. Patterns may even emerge from this imprinting.
A popular picture shows footprints in the sand. Along with this image, a story describes the person being carried by our Lord when times became tough.
No doubt we leave prints on other’s lives much as they do on ours. Whether literal or figurative, their impression is lasting and quite often treasured. I know mine are.
March 2024