Roots & Wings

Advice for My Son

In life I hope that I can give you roots and wings.

I always want you to know that you will always have a place here to come home too.  If you fall of your bike, I'll be right here. When you go off to college and mess it all up and decide to take the eight year plan, I'll be right here.  Don't ever be afraid to come home.  And home isn't our house.  It's us.  Your father and I, where ever we are, your tree will be.

Spread your wings!  Don't ever be afraid to try something new.  Go out there and experience our wonderful world.  There's so much to be a part of.  Dive right into the ocean and let the waves carry you.  (Remember if you get caught in a rip tide, swim parallel to the shore.  Be adventurous, but not stupid.  I know, I know, 'stupid' is just a horrible word.  Sometimes, though, it's the truth.)

Back to flying: always check that the zipper is zipped; literally and figuratively.  Keep your mouth shut and take a second to listen too.  Be a vault for your friends.  Keep promises, be trustworthy and true to your word.  Words have power.  In addition, if your actual zipper is unzipped (or your metaphorical zipper), people will talk about you. In either case, it's not good.  Be a good bird, um, I mean boy.

When your legs, arms, and heart grow tired; when life punches you in the gut; or you just miss some home cooking; about face and fly back to your tree.  Find us and all will be ok. But don't give up.  Spread your wings again and fly again.  Never ever look at life and say forget it.  Talk about it and share it.  Just just the chirping birds every morning.  Let it all out, never bottle it up inside.  I'm always here to listen. I promise I'll try keep my mouth shut, just like the tree does for the bird.  I'll hold you up.  I'll support you as best I can.

More important than anything in this world; I hope to give you roots and wings.