Isn't this an amazing tree? There's Sam standing in front of it. It's part of Falls Park, in downtown Greenville. The tree is surprisingly healthy and beautiful, clinging to the hillside like that.
I have always been amazed by roots. Haven't you? I remember sitting in biology class, staring at diagrams like this,
and it would remind me of roots and trees. Pretty soon I'd want to write a poem.
In my college botany classes, I learned all about roots and how they serve to obtain water and nutrients for the plant but also to anchor it to the ground. (Actually that's sort of a first grader's version of what roots do. I'd try to impress you with my college- level root knowledge, but I've forgotten everything I ever knew about roots, so let's just leave it at that, okay?)
You may remember that I have a high school senior and graduation is a little more than a week away. So right now whenever I see roots, I have this urge to think slightly cheesy thoughts about my Sarah. And about her friends.
Hi Katie! Hi Sarah! Hi Erin! There you are before Senior Sunday at church.
Back to my slightly cheesy thoughts, my collection of cliches...
Have we given her strong roots? Have we nurtured her and given her what she needs to grow? When the strong winds blow and toss around the soil in her life, will she stand tall?
Enough of that. Sarah is a strong girl, and I'm not worried about her. Not at all.
Well, maybe a teensy-tiny bit. A normal amount, considering that my daughter is such a together person and I'm a little paranoid.
I'm more worried about me and what I'm going to do without her.
But I'm not going to think about that now.
No, I'm going to focus on roots. Roots are not bittersweet. (Well, some probably are, but we'll ignore them for the moment.)
Roots do not leave home after almost eighteen years of being my buddy, even though they're ready and must leave home or it just wouldn't be healthy.
Roots do not make me search my messy purse for Kleenex at the mere sight of them looking so happy and grown up in their graduation attire.
Let's move on.
Let's look at some roots, shall we?
Remember these? The ones that look like a scary jungle spider, but are actually just asparagus?
And what about these beauties, bizarre as they may be?
Thanks acc78 on Flickr.
And here's another root that makes me happy.
Mmm. Ginger.
And last, but not least, North Carolina's Official State Vegetable...the Sweet Potato!
Hey, I think that sweet potato is smiling at us!
And it's got dimples!
Do you see it, or is all this graduation madness making me lose my mind?
Anyway, enjoy the roots in your life, whether you're eating them or stepping over them. (Be careful--don't trip!)
Have a wonder-ful Tuesday!
Love, Becky
16 comments:
What comes from roots is admitedly delicious. I must confess though, that roots and those sorts of things (err..I mean looking at them), can creep me out a bit. I like those huge gigantic trees because I can just revel in their large natural being. I just creeps me out seeing all the spindly legs of roots and all that.
Happy graduation to your girls. They look so happy! When I use to have time for church (before university and work staled me), we never had a senior's day. I would have liked to have one. It may have been 3 years and some change since high school graduation, but I am suddely now feeling quite disavowed!
Happy Tuesday.
Hoooweee, that's one fine lookin' sweet potato. So what's SC's official state vegetable?
Happy Graduation!!
How cute they are!
That tree is amazing!
I'm glad you got to the root of the matter.
You have a happy Tuesday as well.
Just finished your book last night.
Do you have a second one for me to read?
Thanks,
Rosemary
Let's all root for roots!!! Three roots for roots...er..whatever....great post.
You always keep me chuckling, yet somehow lost in deep thought, no matter the subject. You're great.
Congrats on your grad. What a major step in life.
Adaora A., I'm with you. Roots often creep me out too. Kind of like blood vessels do. Maybe it's because we're not supposed to see them. Whenever I see that tree downtown, I always imagine that it decides to take a walk through the park, shaking the dirt off its roots and stepping right off the hillside.
Susan s., do you know that South Carolina has no official state vegetable? Can you believe that? I'm outraged.
But I did hear this morning that we now have an official state color--indigo blue, on account of indigo being one of our three historic crops here. (Can you tell that I have a child who is just finishing third grade SC history for his social studies class?)
Hey Rosemary! Yes, I have book #2 ready, but it hasn't been published yet. We're holding it back until the book I'm working on now is out. I know that doesn't make sense, but it does. It flows better that way. We'll see. Keep your fingers crossed for me please!
Tattingchic, you are a sweetie. I'll pass on your congrats to Sarah! Thanks!
Wow what a tree so magical! thank you for visiting!
You just kind of got to the "root of the matter" in that post. Great thoughts---I enjoyed it.
Oh Great ROOT post Becky (:)
really fun ~!! Love your creative mind .. the lungs are roots thing and actually got you moving on to a poem LOVE IT ~~~
Oh glad you came by and liked my footsies(:O) hehe
hugs Patty
I already get weepy about my daughter leaving for college, and she still has another year-and-a-half before preschool.
Congratulations to Sarah! I just graduated yesterday, myself. Er . . . that is, twenty years ago.
Some roots go so deep that they can never be broken you know -- spoken as the mother of a child who has just completed first year of University -- away from the nest. ♥
Your daughter is a lovely person! You must be so proud of her!! You have done a brilliant job of raising such a together young lady.
xx Nancy
That tree just blew me away - I can't believe the size of it!
Happy Graduation! You must me a proud momma!
Susan
xo
What sweet faces...so young and full of spirit and dreams. I am excited for them. I know how proud you are of your sweet daughter. Enjoy the festivities...
Roots are so interesting, a tad creepy but wonderful to see. That tree is amazing!
Your book came today! Well, MY book that YOU wrote...I mean, MY copy of the book that YOU wrote! *grin*
I will begin it on our trip to DC in early June. I am excited to start reading it...(I may peek sooner I think!)
Love,
Sue
interesting post :-) xo Britt :-)
That is a really cool tree! The next time we are in town,I'll make sure we go there and take the kids picture in front of it as well. Thanks for the great idea!
Yea exactly! Exactly.
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