Traveling down the long dusty driveways

The Walk-Sawyer Brown

Down our long dusty driveway
I didn't want to go
But I set out with tears
In my eyes wonderin'

An' Daddy took me by the hand
Looked down at the school bus
And his little man and said
"Don't worry, boy, it will be all right"

'Cause I took this walk your walkin' now
Boy, I've been in your shoes
Well, you can't hold back the hands of time
It's just somethin' you've got to do

So dry your eyes, I understand
Just what you're goin' through
'Cause I took this same walk with my old man
Boy, I've been in your shoes

Down our long dusty driveway
I set my mind to go
Well, I was eighteen and wild
And free and wonderin`

An' Daddy took me by the hand
Look out at the world
And his grown man and said
"Don't worry, boy, it will be all right"

'Cause I took this walk your walkin' now
Boy, I've been in your shoes
Well, you can't hold back the hands of time
It's just somethin' you've got to do

So dry your eyes, I understand
Just what you're goin' through
'Cause I took this same walk with my old man
Boy, I've been in your shoes

Down our long dusty driveway
This time we both would go
Well, he had grown old and gray
And his mind was a wanderin'

An' Daddy took me by the hand
Said, I know where we're goin'
And I understand
Don't worry, boy, it'll be alright

'Cause I took this walk your walkin' now
Boy, I've been in your shoes
Well, you can't hold back the hands of time
It's just somethin' you've got to do

So dry your eyes, I understand
Just what you're goin' through
'Cause I took this same walk with my old man
Boy, I've been in your shoes

'Yes, I took this walk you're walkin' now
Boy, I've been in your shoes

It wasn't until recently that I discovered this song. I absolutely love it. It's very true. It's always good to know that someone has been in your shoes before. My stepdad and I were discussing this very subject today. We were talking about how some people just don't understand what others go through. Often times they don't care what others are going through because they are too focused on themselves. Other times, they have a misconception of what others are going through-they don't see the true details of the matter. Yet, other times people see what others are going through and seem to care, but when it comes to the true heart of the matter they really don't-their "care" is often more for show. Then, last but not least, there are those people who have, as the song so accurately states, "been in your shoes." These people are the ones who know and feel your struggles, your triumphs, your tears and your fears. These are people who have taken "the walk."

I've always tried to be that person- a person who can genuinely be someone who can see what others are going through and give advice and comfort. However, it dawned on me today the type people who have genuinely "been in your shoes" are often the ones that were just placed there by no intention of their own.

For example, the parents and family of a handicapped child have no greater friend in understanding their situations than other parents and families of handicapped children. They've "been in their shoes." They know! They understand! They feel! They've "taken the walk!"

Personally, as someone of short stature, I have no greater friend than other people of short stature. They've "been in my shoes." They feel! They've "taken the walk!"

Therefore, since today is Thankful Thursday, I am thankful for those who have "been in my shoes." Without them life would be a lot harder. Thankfully, I'm fortunate enough to have many people in my life who have "taken the walk" with me, friends and family alike.

Yet, sometimes, people just need that person in their life who has "been in their shoes." That's where you come in to the picture. You see, there are hundreds and thousands of people in this world who are "walking down the long dusty driveways" of life. They don't want to go alone. So, why don't you step up and join them in their "walk." I can assure you that each and every person on this planet has been faced with some type of issue in their life and because of that can help someone else deal with that issue. We just have to be like the father in this picture. We've got to "take people by the hand" and tell them "I've been in your shoes."

So today, join someone on their "walk." Travel "the long dusty driveways" and let people know that you've "been in their shoes!"

Tonight, the measure of a man can sometimes be found in his ability to travel that "long dusty driveway" and join someone for their "walk."

That, my friends, is just a few thoughts from this small town southern man!