~ A Daughter’s Poem and a Father’s Response ~
In honor of Valentine’s month, I am sharing a poem about a different kind of lifelong love—the bond between a father and daughter. For most of my life once I hit 13, communication with my father was awkward and strained, but in 1982, a poem I wrote and mailed to my dad became a bridge we both finally crossed.
Footprints in the Snow
by Kathryn E. Darden, March 1982
The snow has freshly fallen
as the two of them go out -
A father and his child out walking
on a winter’s day.
At first two sets of footprints show,
but as the way grows rough
The child begins to follow
as the father leads the way.
The father strides with normal steps;
the child is stretching hard
To place her feet in larger prints
as they walk down the lane.
And where there is a rock or pit,
the father steps around,
And stepping where her father stepped,
the child avoids the same.
But once or twice on hidden ice
the father slips and falls;
The child must either risk the fall
or choose another way.
So for a while as they walk on,
two sets of prints appear,
But soon the two sets merge;
again one set of prints is made.
I still remember as a child
out in the winter’s snow
I used to follow in your tracks
and play the footprint game.
How carefully I’d place my foot
where yours had gone before!
And looking back where we had walked,
our footprints were the same.
Oh, it has been so many years
since I have played that game,
But in my independence, Father,
this I’ve come to know,
That while I chose the path I’ve walked,
now looking back I see
My footsteps often placed in yours
… like footprints in the snow.
The Response
(Also sent as a letter)
March 9, 1982
Dearest Kathy,
Thank you so much for “Footprints in the Snow.” I was deeply touched by it, as it reminded me of so many things in those good years long ago. You should be a poet!
With love,
Dad
Learn More
To read more stories and reflections from the upcoming biography of William A. Darden, visit the project landing page here: William A. Darden: Upcoming Biography and Legacy Project.
Related historical and biographical articles on William A. Darden are collected in the full archive here: William A. Darden – Articles & Legacy Archive.
Related:
- William A. Darden: Upcoming Biography and Legacy Project
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- My Father’s Legacy
- William A. Darden – My Father Remembered
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- The Single’s Guide to Surviving Valentine’s Day
- Top Ten Turn-of-the-Century Christian Love Songs for Weddings & Valentine’s Day
