Footprints in the sand

One night a woman had a dream. She dreamed
she was walking along the beach with the Lady.

Across the sky flashed scenes from her life.
For each scene she noticed two sets of
footprints in the sand: one belonging
to her, and the other to the Lady.

When the last scene of her life flashed before her,
she looked back at the footprints in the sand.

She noticed that many times along the path of
her life there was only one set of footprints.

She also noticed that it happened at the very
lowest and saddest times in her life.  

This really bothered her and she
questioned the Lady about it:

"Lady, 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 Lady replied:

"My daughter, 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."

Author unknown