On The Edge Of Life

Balanced on the edge. (Click picture for larger view)

"Nature will bear the closest inspection. She invites us to lay our eye level with her smallest leaf, and take an insect view of its plain." ~ Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862)

This tiny fellow seems poised on the edge of the petal; balanced precariously, the least puff of wind would seem to knock him off his perch. Yet, he has wings to fly. The same can be said for our children as they reach that magical age that signifies adulthood. They seem so unsteady, teetering on the edge of everything; destruction, success, happiness, sadness..... life. Yes, they are balanced on the edge of life. Just like we were at that age. So why is it hard to let them go? Why can't we be like the mother robin and gently nudge them on their way?

Each generation learns lessons from their experience on the brink. We try to pass this knowledge on to our children, whom we want to protect from those pits we fell into. It isn't that easy; it seems the potholes have taken over the road and life is a bumpy ride at times. But it is their road. We've protected them, loved them and taught them right from wrong. Now, they have to fly. Oh, they do have wings! It may be hard to see them at times, but they're there and all the flailing and floundering at the edge of life makes them stronger. So fly little bugs, fly!

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