A Map Drawn by Small Steps

When the morning light is still soft
and gently illuminates the ground,
small steps
at their own varying speeds
begin to draw a map of the world.

One set of steps chases the wind,
one set of steps carries the trembling deep within the heart,
moving forward while checking the temperature of the air,
and another set of steps uses someone's laughter as a guide,
quietly melting into a circle of comfort.

There are steps that move forward while carrying tears,
and steps that measure the vastness of the world
beside the shadow of an adult.
None of them are the same,
and none of them are wrong.

Even while living through the same morning,
the maps of our hearts are drawn in different shapes,
and without ever being compared to anyone else's,
the stride quietly extends its line toward the future.

Though there are days when the heart of the one watching
suddenly stirs,
and they almost lose their way before the steps do,
before you know it, those steps
have crossed the seasons at their own unique pace.

The days we cried, the days we laughed,
and the days we stood still,
will eventually shine softly
on the map of our memories,
continuing to light the quiet path.

Growth is
not a journey of tracing someone else's footsteps,
but moving forward
while drawing your own map.
Those steps from that morning
gently teach us that.