Roots

There is so much sadness in my community this weekend. The sadness doesn't touch my life directly, but it ripples through my community. The community we live in and are surrounded by. The community we contribute to and rely on. Our village. Our branches may not directly touch, but if you dig a little deeper, you find the roots grown deep and are strongly intertwined. The roots that hold us upright and keep us nourished, the roots that keep us steady when the winds blow too hard.

This weekend our community has lost another child to cancer. A police officer died trying to keep our community safe. Neighbors and friends watched as their life's work literally went up in flames. Communities surrounding us were leveled by tornadoes. It's hard not to have a heavy heart. My soul feels for each and every one of them. My heart physically hurts.

When there is so much sadness around, sometimes we are forced to reflect on our own lives. We are reminded to find gratitude. That in any moments time, the world we know as ours could change. There is no way to know what tomorrow brings, only to trust in God's plan.

As I reflect on my community, I see so much goodness. I can't help but be reminded to be thankful for the small moments, to be grateful for the people around me who teach me so much about life, love, and faith, and the ability to give and receive love. Through the tragedy, I know there will grow hope and kindness. I know that each tear will sprout love in someone else's heart. I am grateful to feel safe in the faith that despite heartache, sadness and tragedy, there is the opportunity for humanity and goodness to grow.

I am so grateful for my roots. I am grateful they are planted right here, and I am grateful that BR and I share that in common. I am grateful those roots sprouted lifelong friendships. I spent time with friends this weekend that I have been blessed to call my friends for over 20 years. Friends that I know will have my back, friends I know help keep me growing towards the sun despite the clouds. And I am not just grateful for my roots. I am grateful that I can see Pooks's roots starting to dig deeper. I am grateful that the roots I have spent time cultivating have sprouted new meanings for her. That those life long friendships of mine have returned in lifelong friendships between our children. That they already have the ability, at age 9, to get right back into sync as if no time has passed. Their branches extend in different directions, but we all belong to the same tree. The same system. We all stand tall and strong together. I am so happy my child gets to grow roots here.

I find gratitude in moments. That in every single one the 20,000 moments a day, that my heart is full. Thanks For safety and health, for perspective and growth. I am grateful for moments of reflection, for the ability to know that whatever comes our way, we can endure. I am thankful to those who bravely blaze the trail ahead, sharing their stories and opening their hearts to allow me to learn from their paths.

My heart is heavy. But only a heart that is full can be so heavy. I hurt for my community. I am praying for peace on so many levels. And I am saying thanks for the ability to be loved, be filled with love, love them and feel pain for them. Ready to dig my roots in deeper, and extend my branches to embrace those limbs who have withstood the wind of the storms, but are still hanging on.

Tonight, I am loving on my family. Praying to my God. Embracing my community. Strengthening my roots. Ready to help hold steady while the wind blows.