“Never forget the old shoes that transported you to buy the new shoes.”_
Gratitude is more than a polite “thank you.” It’s a posture of the heart, a way of remembering where we’ve come from and who walked beside us when the road was rough. It’s about never forgetting the old shoes — the humble beginnings, the helping hands, and the people who stood in the gap when life threatened to pull us apart.
As 2025 winds down, perhaps it’s time to pause, breathe, and reflect on the people who made our journey possible.
1. The Shoulders That Held Us
There were moments when we couldn’t stand — when life’s burdens bent us low and hope seemed far away. But someone lent us a shoulder, a quiet strength to lean on. They didn’t have to, but they did.
Those shoulders carried not just our weight, but our pain, our confusion, our tears. Some did it silently, never asking for recognition. These are the people we must remember — the ones who stood tall when we couldn’t.
2. The Voices That Pointed the Way
When we lost our sense of direction, someone showed up to guide us. A word of wisdom, a gentle nudge, a story shared in love — sometimes that was all we needed to find our footing again.
Gratitude means recognizing those voices, the teachers and friends who lit a candle when all we had was darkness. They didn’t give us a map — they gave us courage.
3. The Hands That Walked With Us
In seasons of weakness, someone held our hand and walked with us, one step at a time. They matched our slow pace. They didn’t rush us. They didn’t judge us.
They understood that progress isn’t always about speed — sometimes it’s simply about movement. Their patience was love in motion.
4. The Prayers That Covered Us
There are times when the soul is too weary to speak. Our hearts are heavy, our faith faint. Yet, someone — somewhere — whispered our name in prayer.
We may never know how many storms we survived because someone interceded on our behalf. Gratitude calls us to remember that unseen circle of grace — the people who prayed us through battles we didn’t even know we were fighting.
5. The Cups of Water, The Shared Shoes
Sometimes gratitude is found in the simplest acts — a meal shared, a small gift, a ride, a smile, a borrowed pair of shoes. These gestures remind us that kindness doesn’t require wealth; it only requires heart.
Those who gave when they had little gave much more than we often realize. To forget them would be to lose sight of the beauty of humanity.
6. The People Who Checked On Us
In a fast-paced world where everyone is running, someone paused — even for a minute — to check on you. That call, that text, that visit may have come at the perfect time.
These are the people who embody love in its purest form: simple, sincere, selfless. They didn’t have to be family by blood; their kindness made them family by choice.
7. The Circle That Raised Us
From siblings and neighbors to classmates, colleagues, and faith companions — we are the sum of all these connections. Each relationship left fingerprints on our hearts, shaping us into who we are today.
We must never outgrow our gratitude. New heights should remind us of the hands that lifted us, not make us forget them.
A Call to Remember
As the curtain of 2025 slowly draws to a close, take a moment to remember. Think of the people who helped you when you had nothing to give back. Reach out if you can. If not, whisper a prayer for them.
Because gratitude is a seed — and when we water it with remembrance, it blooms into peace, humility, and love.
Final Note
Be grateful always.
For the old shoes that carried you to where you are now.
For the people whose love was the bridge between your past and your present.
Gratitude isn’t just a blessing — it’s a way of life.