How important are your roots?

rheadopmeijer

Jun 29

Looking back at my life, I was a bit baffled by all the changes the world has gone through. Looking at myself as a toddler, a 4-year-old, growing up with my siblings. My world consisted of the warmth of our kitchen, with a wood burner to cook on. It also provided us with warm water for our weekly baths on Saturday.

This also took place in the kitchen, being the only warm room in the house. Sitting in a little iron tub, while my mother washed my hair. The warm water ran from the top of my head along my back. This sensation I never forgot

The first time we had warm water, a shower with warm, not just cold water. A gas fireplace to keep the living room warm and coals for the stove. Getting them out of the coal storage outside every morning to get the oven warmed up, so my mom could boil water to make tea for us and coffee for my dad. It also was enabling my mom to cook the meals on it.

I remember the wooden shoes I was wearing in wintertime. Keeping my feet warm, yet they were not that practical when the snow has fallen. Walking on snow was very tricky, as I experienced walking the dog. Ice skating as kids on wooden skates. All the games we played outside as kids.

With the marbles, skipping rope, drawing on the pavement, joggling with the balls, adding more to it, till I was able to use five at a time. Playing hide and seek with the neighbor kids. Playing football with the boys, climbing trees, and loved my playtime outdoors.

I remember the first car in the street, the first radio and television as well. Watching with the neighbors until we had our own. Being born in 1955, there were so many novelties that were developed since then. Like the switch from black and white to color television.

The record player, with the LPs. The first CD player. The revolution of the typewriters, the telephone into the mobile phone. So many things have changed since those days, growing up into a new world. Technology changed our lives so much.

I remember the moment I realized how much the world had changed for my grandparents, born in early 1900. They had to endure WWI as well the depressions before WWII. I was growing up in a period where my parents and their generation had to rebuild our nation again.

My parents had a great marriage. They both participated in the jobs my father had. I grew up with this role model, for women to work, even while they got married and had kids. We as kids also participated in their work when my father was a concierge at a high school.

It taught me so much, about the value of a relationship where partners were equal. It formed me to be an independent young woman. They emphasized the importance of the study, so you would be able to support yourself in your own way.

Not just that, they also encouraged us to do the best we can do. Be the best you can be. Not being better than anyone else. So different from the parents of my friends. There was this traditional way of raising children with authority, the role between husband and wife.

My upbringing is still so important to this day. My roots, my grandparents, and my parents were the building blocks. They are the cement on which I was able to grow up with a distinct perspective on the way marriage would feel right.

The equality between both partners, as well the love they shared with each other. They have provided me with consciousness as well awareness. It paved the way to be self-aware of what I wanted out of life. They provided me with the building blocks, to trust my own instinct.

To trust and stand for my beliefs, even though it was not always met with the belief system of other people. I am so proud of my parents and the way they showed me the importance of a solid partnership, filled with love and understanding. Enabling us to be who we were, to vocalize our opinions even if they were different. Communication was such an important part of my growing up within my family. To this day.

So, here I am, reminiscing about the importance of my roots. On this day, a new year is ahead of me. Allowing the energy that comes with it to fill me up again. Gratitude and love for all they have shared with me, shown me, and taught me.

To be the best version of me. To share my ideas and vision without fear, only through the love my parents gifted me. How to put it into words and walk my talk. The power and importance of my roots shine through every message I have shared.

And so, it is done.