Footprints
I recall renting an old brownstone house on the North side of Pittsburgh in what in what is referred to as the Mexican War Street area. My partner and I painted footprints on the steps leading to the second floor which included the bathroom and the bedroom in which we slept. As I looked back the footprints became a daily reminder to be cognizant of the footprints we individually and as a couple had left in the world that day. Those footprints held memories of all the laughter, love, resentments, shame, hope and joy we had deposited in our life accounts on any given day. My partner and I eventually continued our separate journeys and lost track of each other. I suspect the painted footsteps have long ago been preserved under new layers of pain or carpet. Perhaps they were sanded away. Yet, the house contains all the imprints of those footsteps left 35 or so years ago.
A couple of nights ago I attended a retirement celebration of the life and work of my friend and colleague Vilja Stein. I was asked to offer the toast to this woman whose footprints has touched the lives of thousands and perhaps millions. I and others attending this celebration marveled at her journey from Estonia to a refugee camp to the United States to high school, college, medical school, residency, marriage, children, divorce, friendship to being able to help supply medical supplies to other physicians in Estonia when it was still struggling to rebuild following the departure of the Soviets from their land. I also noted that she is and has been a person who has been intent on treating her many patients with the same respect and compassion she has been shown along her journey. It is easy to forget one’s humble upbringing. It is also easy to feel survivors guilt and to fail to enjoy the blessings which one’s journey have bestowed. Yet, this remarkable woman has not forgotten or failed to enjoy the blessings of many of the luxuries of life her journey has afforded. This gratitude and generosity of spirit are stamped on each of her footprints.
Her three amazing children have been busy leaving their footprints in California, Massachusetts, and Virginia. Their journey is different than that of their mother’ but they have also left many footprints of compassion, exploration and courage.
I have been blessed with the presence of this teacher, friend, and colleague in my life for some 35 years.
As my teacher she frequently reminds me of my limitations as well as my talents. She challenges me to venture outside the small box I can, at times comfortably rest. In other words she does what all good friends do. She tickles my heart and my mind. She challenges me to grow beyond my comfort zones and she unconditionally loves me as the human that I am.
I would like to think that I do the same for her.
I would also like to think that we each will continue to leave footprints which are rich in color, design and texture. We are not done leaving such footprints. Although as years suggest we must allow for changes in our journeys. We will continue to paint new steps on the stairway of this life journey. Of course we can only do that with the luxury of the friendships with which we are blessed; with the luxury of the tribe some of whom gathered for the retirement celebration.
Written November 4, 2019
Jimmy F Pickett, LPC, AADC
coachpickett.org
I recall renting an old brownstone house on the North side of Pittsburgh in what in what is referred to as the Mexican War Street area. My partner and I painted footprints on the steps leading to the second floor which included the bathroom and the bedroom in which we slept. As I looked back the footprints became a daily reminder to be cognizant of the footprints we individually and as a couple had left in the world that day. Those footprints held memories of all the laughter, love, resentments, shame, hope and joy we had deposited in our life accounts on any given day. My partner and I eventually continued our separate journeys and lost track of each other. I suspect the painted footsteps have long ago been preserved under new layers of pain or carpet. Perhaps they were sanded away. Yet, the house contains all the imprints of those footsteps left 35 or so years ago.
A couple of nights ago I attended a retirement celebration of the life and work of my friend and colleague Vilja Stein. I was asked to offer the toast to this woman whose footprints has touched the lives of thousands and perhaps millions. I and others attending this celebration marveled at her journey from Estonia to a refugee camp to the United States to high school, college, medical school, residency, marriage, children, divorce, friendship to being able to help supply medical supplies to other physicians in Estonia when it was still struggling to rebuild following the departure of the Soviets from their land. I also noted that she is and has been a person who has been intent on treating her many patients with the same respect and compassion she has been shown along her journey. It is easy to forget one’s humble upbringing. It is also easy to feel survivors guilt and to fail to enjoy the blessings which one’s journey have bestowed. Yet, this remarkable woman has not forgotten or failed to enjoy the blessings of many of the luxuries of life her journey has afforded. This gratitude and generosity of spirit are stamped on each of her footprints.
Her three amazing children have been busy leaving their footprints in California, Massachusetts, and Virginia. Their journey is different than that of their mother’ but they have also left many footprints of compassion, exploration and courage.
I have been blessed with the presence of this teacher, friend, and colleague in my life for some 35 years.
As my teacher she frequently reminds me of my limitations as well as my talents. She challenges me to venture outside the small box I can, at times comfortably rest. In other words she does what all good friends do. She tickles my heart and my mind. She challenges me to grow beyond my comfort zones and she unconditionally loves me as the human that I am.
I would like to think that I do the same for her.
I would also like to think that we each will continue to leave footprints which are rich in color, design and texture. We are not done leaving such footprints. Although as years suggest we must allow for changes in our journeys. We will continue to paint new steps on the stairway of this life journey. Of course we can only do that with the luxury of the friendships with which we are blessed; with the luxury of the tribe some of whom gathered for the retirement celebration.
Written November 4, 2019
Jimmy F Pickett, LPC, AADC
coachpickett.org
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