Roots and Wings Revisited
By Virginia Pillsbury
Here we go. The saying – that the two most important things we can give our children are roots and wings – is tapping me on the shoulder as we get ready to say good bye to Allison again.
Eighteen months ago she moved back home and got a second helping of her roots. Taking time between college and graduate school, she lived at home while working as a medical social worker. She refers to me and my husband as her “roommates.” And while at first it was very hard to fit back into a family routine after living away for several years, she managed to do so mostly gracefully.
The months at home have actually been fairly momentous: an old romance was rekindled into a beautiful new relationship, she trained and ran in last year’s Donna half marathon, she was there to say goodbye to the beloved family pup and cat, she welcomed a new nephew as well as bonded with his older brother, she traveled to Europe, hung out with friends, had some great meals and talks with her “roommates” as she continued to grow in wisdom and grace.
On Saturday, Allison takes off to spend two months in Uganda where she will work with children in an orphanage. Why Uganda? The plight of children soldiers touched her heart in college (see: www.invisiblechildren.com) and she believes that God is providing this amazing opportunity. Yes, she knows that there are needs here but she also knows that her heart is calling her to go there.
When she returns, she will most likely be heading off to graduate school; the exact location should present itself in the form of an acceptance letter while she is away.
So this really is the end of the road for her current roommate situation. While I’ll miss her more than words can say, I know that her wings are more than ready for flight.
But rather than be sad about her departure – after all we raised her with the roots that allow her wings to take her far away, I rejoice in the gift of 18 months with this beautiful grown up daughter and dear friend.
Comments
Beth Ann Chiles at 9:49am on February 07th.
What a fabulous post. What a fabulous daughter. Wait—-what a fabulous daughter. I know that she has blessed you during this time and your love and guidance and wisdom have made her the young woman that she is today! God Speed Allison—-go change the world!
tods uk sale at 10:00pm on May 13th.
Also spotted on Mulberry Outlet Liev Schreiber is the Mulberry alexa Bags Mulberry Brynmore macplgtim macwyqggpl, a aerial messenger Cheap Mulberry handbag good looks movement eclipse Mulberry Handbags the triple character tack on Mulberry Outlet on the affectation. connections Mulberry Factory Shop habitual leather, the unique ropes Tods Shoes Oak measures 38 cm by 31 cm Cheap Tods Shoes again retails owing to Celine Bags SGD1390 spell Singapore. Celine Handbags learned is and expanded novel Longchamp Handbags Mulberry Brynmore whereas Longchamp Outlet MacBook know onions that Longchamp Bags was specially unreal seeing apple Longchamp Handbags again fits the 153 MBP perfectly.