Friday, November 02, 2012

Roots and Wings

5 Minute Friday on . . . ROOTS

I don't know who said this, but someone once said that the two greatest things we can give our children are roots and wings.

Unlike my two best friends, my family does not have deep roots like other families do. As a military family, we've moved around every few years, and we don't have one particular place we call home (well, we each do, but it's different for each!).

One of my best friends lives across the yard from her grandparents' house where she lived for much of her life. Her neighbors' parents knew her grandparents. Her kids' friends' parents are her friends. She knows the town and its people, and her roots run as deep as the huge tree out back with the tire swing.

Another of my best friends is single, but she has roots that run deep and long in her church. Her parents were charter members (I think) and helped run the church, Sunday school and treasury, for over thirty years. Only for health reasons have they stepped away from those responsibilities. She knows the people, the children, the pastor and his family.

So I may not be able to offer my girls roots of a physical or tactile nature, but they have roots that run deep in my heart. And yes, I can sure give them wings. Wings to fly, to try their best, to be adventurous, to think, to do all the things we dream for our kids.

Roots and wings.

6 comments:

Alia Joy said...

Roots can come in all sorts and shapes and the most important are always those that are dug down deep in love. Thanks for sharing your five minutes with me.Your kids are blessed to have both roots and wings.

Richelle Wright said...

my kiddos live that expat lifestyle, too... so we tried to make sure they have heart roots, too.

your girls are blessed to have a mama who has that goal of both roots and wings!

Denise said...

Your children are truly blessed to have you.

Teri Lynne Underwood said...

Oh Pattie! I live somewhere in between those two ... deep roots in small towns and a life that's been lived across 10 states and had more addresses than I can keep track of.

You are so wise to know that roots are not simply physical ... it's the spiritual and emotional roots we offer our children that truly afford them wings to fly!

I love you, my dear friend! And have for many (ahem!) years!!

Valerie said...

I love that your girls get the freedom to experience life. In the end, their roots come from family, friends, and their deep love of God. Roots are a legacy, and yours is wonderful.

Breanne said...

Roots and wings....such a beautiful and hard concept. We're not military but we have moved a lot and our roots tend to be in each other not in any one town or place.

Good word.