I am thinking of two proverbs this morning, "No man is an island" and "The apple does not fall far from the tree." The first was provoked by a great short film sent to me today by a talented graphic designer friend near Santa Fe. It is a poignant reminder that indeed no man is an island, and also a pretty powerful expression of the creative and expressive use to which technology is being put and the wonderful possibilities it opens up to ordinary individuals with limited budgets. Here is the link: http://www.tankstudio.com.au/blog/2008/11/mankind-is-no-island-new-york-tropfest-winner/
The second proverb has been running through my head since my sister-in-law, Robin, said it to me one day at a recent family gathering. The apple does not fall far from the tree. Robin would seem to be a good example of the validity of this expression. She comes from a robust maternal line and has enjoyed the blessings of knowing not only her mother but her grandmother well into adult-hood. Her adult daughter, my niece Joy, is a wonderful expression of the continuity from one generation to the next in this sense. My brothers too would seem to confirm the position represented in a similar expression, "A chip off the old block." They seem to me to be a fine affirmation of the values and way of life my father represented. On the other hand, while I am sure I have absorbed many of the values my parents believed in, I found myself wondering if I had or had not fallen farther from the tree than my siblings. And if I had indeed not fallen far from the tree myself, I found myself wondering from which parent I had inherited tendencies or characteristics which seem out of sync with those I had been raised with. More than anything, it left me wondering how well I knew my parents, in particular my mother who died when I was nineteen. I will be exploring this some more. I leave you with the question, have you or have you not fallen far from the tree?
Around Helsinki, Finland
10 years ago
2 comments:
Hi Aunt Jeanne
I have definitely NOT fallen far from the tree....you were right. It seems to be a constant joke between my folks and I. As much as I am like my mom, ( we have so much in common, interests, personality, etc) I find I am actually even more like my dad. I worry like him....I am controlling like him, I get my tendency to be generous (almost too much so) from him, I can be critical like him....but at the same time I am thankful that I am loving and caring, can be kinda funny, concerned and involved in my family's lives, etc. LOL LOL He and I are so much alike that it can be easy to butt heads! I do love and appreciate all I have been taught and given by my folks....even if some of it is goofy! They are wonderful parents and I am so so glad to have them not just in my life, but to have the relationships with them that I do. So again....this apple has not fallen too far from the tree for sure!!! Love you.
Joy
I fell far and early. And, while I am the seed of my parents, my own tree has grown large enough that theirs leans toward mine.. and will eventually rest in my shade.
Thanks for your blog.. I enjoy reading you. :)
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