My mother was the central root of my family “tree”. She kept a strong link between us all, and allowed the family “tree” to stand tall and secure in the ground. When she was alive we were all gathered together. We knew what was happening to each of us at almost all times. Every celebration was a large family affair and maintained traditional customs that dated back generations. We always felt a connection with our childhood home in the New Jersey woods. She was our childhood home, and when she lived, that “home” was a living thriving being. It was rare that any one of us (her children, spouse, parents, siblings, in-laws, cousins, friends) ever felt neglected or alone. There was a constant closeness and interconnection to each member root of the family and beyond because of our link to her.
About 12 years ago my mother was taken from us suddenly and brutally. It was a shock to us all. The absence of that central “root” of our family left just thinner weaker roots in place. But slowly over time with every storm these weakened roots got pulled and maybe propagated elsewhere. The connections between the remaining roots disappeared to a large degree. Others just stayed, but weakened the strength of the remaining family “tree”. Some were uprooted and lay somewhere on the side tumbled away by a storm.
None of these weakened or separated roots was to blame, it’s just that unfortunately no one root thickened more than the rest and took over as the central root of support. Or if they did, they did so only for their own propagated roots separate from the ones of the initial tree.
Now I have only memories of the family “tree” I once knew. I am one of the weaker roots and have difficulty finding the others. Perhaps the others feel the same way, or are just too busy strengthening their own in their new locations. We now only gather occasionally, and usually not all at once, like in the past. I hold on to my husband tightly. I’ve wrapped my root around his.
It is possible that my husband and I might move to Europe in the future. My husband is a European. Since marrying him we have adopted many of his family’s traditions and few of mine. I guess that’s partly my fault. I am and probably will become part of a whole new kind of tree, rooted in a different land than my own.
Bird Flight 
Loved the picture of that tree. It’s awesome.
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Thanks, Dream Desire. The tree is impressive. I run into such great trees occasionally in the woods.
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That is a magnificent tree! Loved your piece!
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Thank you, lexiejungling! You have been very supportive of my posts lately. Again, a huge thank you!
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No problem! I enjoy reading them!
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Beautiful and Deep!
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Thank you, Train Today. If it was beautiful, then it is because I was thinking about my mother.
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Your mother sounds like a delightful person. Every family needs someone like her. A lovley take on the prompt.
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Thank you, yuhublogger. My mother was always such a positive and encouraging person.
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Cherished the photo of that tree. It’s awesome..That is a grand tree! Adored your piece!
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Thank you, Dudhwa Tiger Reserve. I, too, am happy I discovered that tree. It is certainly as grand as the large family I remembered from my youth.
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Wow!! I sometimes think of this very thing. Who will be the deep root if something happens to the elders of my family? Great post. Love this part “None of these weakened or separated roots was to blame, it’s just that unfortunately no one root thickened more than the rest and took over as the central root of support.”
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Thank you so much, Charlene. I guessed that a lot of people would respond to this post.
There often seems to be at least one person in each family that brings everyone together. It’s sad when there isn’t anymore, like in my family. Maybe someday you can be that special central root for your family.
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Beautiful post yet so sad in how everything seemed to change after your mother’s death. My grandmother was the “glue” for my mother;s siblings, she died suddenly and what once had been, was gone, so I can relate.
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Hi DailyMusings. I’m sorry for the loss of your grandmother. Yes, it is sad to see some important things change. I do, however, try to practice some little traditions still. It’s hard for me since my husband’s family traditions are sort of different than mine.
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