One night a man had a dream. He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the LORD. Across the sky flashed scenes from his life. For each scene he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand: one belonging to him, and the other to the LORD. When the last scene of his life flashed before him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that many times along the path of his life there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times in his life. This really bothered him and he questioned the LORD about it: “LORD, you said that once I decided to follow you, you’d walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life, there is only one set of footprints. I don’t understand why when I needed you most you would leave me.” The LORD replied: “My son, my precious child, I love you and I would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you.”
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There appears to be three variations of this poem, credited to three different authors. The version above is actually credited to Carolyn Carty with other versions credited to Mary Stevenson and Margaret Fishback Powers.
You can find out more about the different versions, and each authors claims at http://www.wowzone.com/fpnews.htm
I came across your “Footprints in the Sand” page on your site and was very happy to see that you are giving credit to Mary Stevenson as the author of the poem. Mary Stevenson was my mother. I have been personally working very hard for several years to have her recognized as the true author. Even after her passing in 1999 I still felt the need to get the word out. She would have been very flattered to see her name on so many web sites knowing that they are being viewed by people all over the world.
I recently started my own web page dedicated to her and would like to get it viewed by as many people as possible. Would it be possible for you to put a link to my site on your “Footprints” page. I think this would also help enhance your web site to have a link to more detailed information about “Footprints” and it’s true author.
Another request; is it possible for you to make a correction to the poem on your site? My mother’s version is in the first person, which is the way she wrote it in 1936. I would greatly appreciate it if you could make this change, but is not critical. I respect that it is your site and you have the right to its content. If you are interested in changing it you can find the original version as my mother wrote it on her web page.
Please let me know if you will consider posting a link to the web site. Her site can be viewed at www.Footprints-InThe-Sand.com
Sincerely,
Basil Zangare
And now I’ve recently received this:
Copyright & Public Notice 1963-2007 © by Carolyn Joyce Carty “Author of Footprints Poem”
Anyone wishing to use this Footprints poem text for personal use on their website and avoid copyright infringement must place the authors name as it appears on this text. No variations of the Footprints poem are acceptable without becoming liable for copyright infringement of unlawful use. These poems may not be used for commercial use of any sort unless the authors name appears on it and it’s royalty paid to Carolyn Joyce Carty.
Many Footprints poem products have been produced on the world wide web and market place that have failed to pay royalty to the proper and rightful owner. For this reason you must contact me directly regarding any legal promotion of it’s use on all Footprints poem products, images, including posters, cards, calendars, faith books, plaques, candles, books, tapestry, art or forms of art that display this text. Although Footprints the poem was an anonymous contribution to society it has not guaranteed that royalty payments should not be paid to it’s rightful owner. As rightful owner of this text, it is my choice whether or not to supply you with lawful use of it’s rights. Anyone claiming any other ownership of this text is commiting fraud and will be held liable.
According to the U.S. Copyright Law title 17 and the Berne Convention I am duly entitled to receive payment for image transmitals via video, internet, and by any other media means. Do not be mistaken by others when purchasing any Footprints poem products. Many products on todays market are Counterfeit. These companies will be held liable for the harm and damage they have caused to me personally and to the individuals and public that sell these counterfeit products.
While it is appreciated that many admire the Footprints in the Sand poem it is important to remember the fundamental principles of property rights, do not be fooled by these marketers. As of this date I have never received one single penny from any of them. My copyrights have long existed at the United States Copyright Office long before the days of Internet marketing. Many of you may have come across databases and conflicting information on the authorship of this great poetry. Be assured that I am the author of the popular version of text as described on this website. I am trying to preserve the Historical Foundation of it’s original authorship which does not belong to persons named, Mary Stevenson also known as Mary Zangare, Margaret Fishback Powers, Burrell Webb, or any other person claiming any rights of authorship or relatives of claimed authors.
The original Footprints in the Sand text was authored by Ella H.
Scharring Hausen June 6, 1922. Her affirmed version of text is the exact text that Mary Stevenson Zangare claimed she authored in 1936 and 1939.
Since this text was written in 1922 before Mary Stevenson was ever even born it is important to know that the claim made by her, and any of her family to obtain any rights to this intellectual property is false. Ella H. Scharring-hausen declared her version of text, the non popular version of Footprints in the sand text as Public Domain according to the copyright law of 1909-1923 under which her text was governed. Permission to rewrite the text into it’s present form was given as a separate form of text. The popular version of Footprints poem text was not produced until 1963. Anyone making claims that this text was ever even seen before 1963 has no Valid proof of such a statement.
Anyone wishing to use this text on their website under these terms must link to http://www.footprintspoetry.net and http://faithweb2.tripod.com
*****
Apparently there is now a court-case running regarding the ownership of this piece. As the email [below] was addressed to Johgn [sic] Mark Industries [sic] I’m ignoring it: legal advice informs me that such an entity doesn’t exist. Also there’s no living John Mark associated with our ministry: the apostle of that name died 2000 years ago!
March 6, 2009
Johgn Mark Industries
Sent via: E Mail
Re: John Mark DMCA Notification
Dear John Mark
This office represents Basil Zangare and the Poem, Footprints in the Sand and is authorized to act as its agent for copyright infringement notification. A search of the protocol listed below has detected infringements of Mr. Zangare’s copyright interests on your IP addresses as detailed in the attached report.
Please be advised that this matter has been the subject of Federal Court Action since 2008 under the caption Basil Zangare v. Margaret Fishback Powers and Carolyn Joyce Carty under CASE NUMBER: CV-08-1923. The Hon.
Sandra J. Feuerstein of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York has issued a Judgment and Permanent Injunction BARRING Ms. Carty from involvement with anything related to Footprints in the Sand on the internet. Having knowledge of this Court Order, it is incumbent upon you to immediately remove any and all materials related to Carolyn Joyce Carty together with Footprints.
I have a reasonable good faith belief that use of the material in the manner complained of in the attached report is not authorized by Basil Zangare, his agents, or the law. The information provided herein is accurate to the best of our knowledge. Therefore, this letter is an official notification under provisions of section 512(c) of the U. S.
Digital Millennium Copyright Act to affect removal of the detected infringement listed in the attached report. The attached documentation specifies the exact location of the infringement.
We hereby request that you immediately remove or block access to the infringing material, as specified in the copyright laws, and insure the user refrains from using or sharing with others Mr. Zangare’s materials in the future.
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