Just The Beginning of The Path

The theme of graduation this year was the following quote-"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." Yesterday and today as I was considering this, I was thinking some of the trails Austin has left in our lives.  Not just trails of laundry and dishes but trails and trails of memories, lessons, and fun.  I remember what a curious and active toddler he was.  In the same visit to Utah he burned his arm and locked himself in the bathroom at grandma's.  I remember him telling his grandma to use her listening ears.  I remember trying to find a suit like the prophet for a seven year old who insisted he should look like the prophet when he spoke in Stake Conference.  I remember watching him play and care for his little sister and brother.  I remember all the firsts-smiles, laughs, walking before he crawled, his first date, catching his first fish, his first time passing and blessing the sacrament.  I remember playing in the sand and building sand castles, teaching him to ride his bike, watching him swim so far out in the ocean that I thought I might die.  Last Sunday he leaned over to me and said, "Mom, I'm scared-I wish I were Robbie's age again!"  I am not scared, I am amazed and blessed that I have been able to walk some of those trails with him. I am looking forward to the trails he will leave behind him in the years to come!