These Boots Are Made for Walkin

~This post is written in honor of All Saints and All Souls~

We just got done cleaning our garage this week!

I went through some old boxes and found these Army combat (jump) boots from my late husband, Chris...They were the last ones he wore before his tragic death and were specially shined for his funeral.  

As I uncovered the paper, I couldn't believe they were still this shiny.  I could see my reflection for goodness sakes...And it's been 17 years!  I just found that really amazing.  It brought a smile to my face.

For a slight (human) second, I got that pit of sadness deep in my gut.

Then I remembered all the paths these boots had paved, carrying a soul that loved people...Then I smiled again.

After all, it's not the boots that we wear or the badges that we earn that really matter.  We certainly don't take them with us when we leave this earth.  

It's all about the life that we live and how we touch the lives of others while we walk in our own boots.  How do we walk with others well?

I thought about this today after Fr. M's. homily.  He challenged us not to worry about tomorrow or even yesterday, for that matter.  The challenge is to stay focused on TODAY.  

How can we live this day as well as possible?  

The answer is easy, Fr. M reassured us...One step at a time, one foot in front of the other, day after day.

Suddenly, I was reminded of the boots.

These boots are made for walkin.  

{Even if you are like me,  picking myself up "by my boot straps" every day!}

 The path to heaven is a steady one, lest we get discouraged. 

As people of faith, we keep on walking...We persevere, we stay faithful, despite our imperfections and ugly mistakes...

 We aim to walk with others well, striding to live today as well as possible.

May all of the Saints in heaven cheer for us as we cross the finish line, someday leaving our boots behind for others to admire their shine:)