Is it responsible to be a truly free spirit? Flying like a kite, mindless of anything but the currents that carry us to the next adventure? Even a kite is tethered to a string. Without the resistance pulling on that string provides, the kite wouldn’t sail half as high.
I always love it when I have all of my children and grandchildren together. For a number of years, Easter has been one of those times. We all went to the Philadelphia area to see my mother and celebrate the holiday with her, my sister and her family, and my husband’s twin brother. We enjoyed meals, giggling, walks to our favorite chocolate shop, and some kite flying last year.
Having four generations together made for some fascinating observations. The great-grandchildren always gravitated to my mother – not because they were prodded to, but because she was a kindred, free spirit, and they recognized that. Children, for the most part, say what they think, imagine freely, and show their emotions spontaneously. My mother still had those qualities in abundance, but in adult company, she was somewhat more restrained.
Fortunately for my mom, she had a career (writing) that allowed her to scratch her creative itch and get paid for it. But as an editor, she also had to manage budgets and personnel, and make sometimes unpopular decisions. When did she learn to think a little before she spoke? When did she understand that she had a responsibility to others as well as to herself?
Our parents taught us to be ourselves, but mindful of others. We were allowed to make a huge papier-maché mess in the play room, for example – but never to say hurtful things to one another. Mom and Dad encouraged our love of words and music, our sports ventures, supported our every performance and treasured every handcraft. But they also had expectations.
How much do you rein in children who are truly free spirits, whose minds are racing and whose enthusiasm is contagious? Hopefully enough to keep them from getting caught in a kite-eating tree, and with enough support to help them soar. Guarding against climbing too high into danger, but allowing enough experimentation to learn individual limitations and strengths. And letting go a little with each year.
A parent’s toughest assignment is letting out that string a little at a time. We never really let go, and each time that kite takes a dip, so do our hearts. Still, we do our best to send our children and their free spirits soaring, on a proverbial wing, and a prayer.
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This post is in response to a Weekly Photo Challenge from the WordPress Daily Post. The challenge topic for this week is Free Spirit. To learn more about the challenge, or to see other spirited entries, click here
The Retiring Sort 
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This was great! My college advisor once called me a “free spirit with direction”. I still am, I think! Thanks for reading my blog today- It’s great to connect with yours!
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So glad you took time to visit today! A free spirit with direction – I like that!! 😉
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What a lovely post! I’ve always been the ‘free spirit’ in my family while growing up, learning reasonably 😉 healthy boundaries along the way. When I had my girls, I reigned myself in more than a little in many areas, for their sake, without denying them the imaginative, playful components that come naturally with my temperament. Now I am the ‘fun one’ with the grand-kids and mom and dad are their tethers. LOL — benefits of grand-parenthood…
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No doubt about it, being a grandparent is great fun! Thanks for stopping by, and sharing your comments! 😉
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I think that so far, this is my favorite of all I’ve read and looked at for this challenge. I like the kite analogy very much, especially the part about never really letting go all the way. Seems to be the case for sure!
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Thank you for that lovely comment. Our kids are in their 30’s and 40’s, but they’ll always be those delightful children to us – and they are still free spirits – at least sometimes!
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yup, mine are in their 30’s!
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😉
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Wonderful addition to the challenge shots. Good thing I came by again. I almost missed this one. 🙂
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Always happy to “see” you, Elizabeth! Thanks for stopping back!
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Wonderful post. I love to watch my grandchildren as they explore. I love the kite analogy, giving our children enough freedom to soar.
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Thanks so much, Maggie!
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I loved reading this post!! It reminds me to think of my own parents’ point-of-view and to let them know as often as I can to tell them how much I appreciate all they have done/continue to do for me. We don’t live near one-another so when we do get to visit we have to make the most of every minute. 🙂
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What a lovely response! So glad you visited! 😉
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From this day forward my little free spirits will forever remind me of a kite thanks to you.Just beautiful.
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Thanks! So glad you enjoyed it – thanks for visiting! 😉
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You have a beautiful and wonderful family that is a perfect example of a free spirit that filled with joy and love.
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Thank you – we have our moments!
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Great words !
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Thank you, Max!
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The last paragraph of your post is pure magic. I loved how you tied your reflection together with the theme. You carry on your mother’s talents.
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Thank you so much – that’s very kind!
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Beautifully said from a parent’s heart.
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Many thanks, Brooke.
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I love your last paragraph. It brought tears to my eyes.
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Thanks, Gemma – mine too. Nobody always gets it exactly right; we just keep trying!
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Interesting thought…we do reign in emotion and thought and free spirit in our children!!
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Sometimes it’s so hard to maintain discipline, while not squelching their ideas and creativity!
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Your parents sound great. Nice post…
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They were pretty cool! 😉 Thanks for stopping in!
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Beautifully written on a beautiful subject. I agree totally with this. Children are the finest examples of unleashed inspiration. It’s a delicate balance to rein them but they usually do discover their own limits, under the watchful eye of an adult. 🙂
I want you to know I’m nearly ready to write up the award you gave me. I did put you on my blogroll. Let me know how you want the description. I put something there but I’d like your input.
Peace,
Alexandria
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Thanks for the lovely comment, Alexandria – I’ll go look at your blog to see what you’ve written!!
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Maybe just retirement planning and travel?
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I haven’t written it up as a post yet but I put your website on the blogroll.
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“A parent’s toughest assignment is letting out that string a little at a time.” So true! So, what happens then the string gets all tangled up into a knot?
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Hopefully, you work together to unwind it. We’ve had our share of those moments! There’s as much art as science to raising kids, I think.
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“be ourselves, but mindful of others” wise words!
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Thanks! Nice to have you stop by! 🙂
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This is so beautifully written. Your mom sounds like she was a wonderful woman, and so well-loved by her family. I wish that I’d been given more of a chance to find my free spirit when I was a teenager. I made sure that my children didn’t suffer from being overly constricted, and they’ve both grown into really fulfilled and happy adults. 🙂
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Such a fine balance,, but it sounds like you found it! AD, Thanks for the kind words about my mom! 🙂
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Cute kite pictures.
How beautiful you ‘ve put this whisdom into words…
Loved to read your post.
I totaly agree that, responsibility sure is a very important part of a great free spirit.
Have a nice Sunday
– Dauw –
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Thanks, Dauw – happy Sunday to you, too! 😉
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To be aware of the limits of ones freedom, without impinging on the freedom of others….that is a vital lesson that needs to be passed on! Inspiring take TRS!
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Thanks, Madhu! 😉
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Reblogged this on Inspire-urself and commented:
Destiny depends on the strength of your Desires & Dreams.
If you cry at troubles, they grow double.
If you laugh at troubles, they disappear like bubbles.
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Thanks!
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Well said. Very true. We all need to give every kid that much space, so that he can fly like a free spirit. You are really lucky to have such parents, who let you remain the way are; who never came in the way of your desire and aspiration from life. There’s much of a lesson for all of us here. Great post!
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Thanks for these kind comments, Arindam. 😉
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