Saturday, April 2, 2011

Bloodline

This morning a television commercial made me cry.  Was it for Hallmark?  Or Children's Hospital?  Or Jared? Or Folgers? (C'mon, you know you cry every time they air a new segment in the series about Peter.)  No.  None of these obviously saccharine advertisements evoked such emotion.  Instead, a commercial for the new Jeep Compass moved me.

Born of a deep-rooted family tree, but not content to merely live under it.  We all have a bloodline, but it takes a bold spirit to say "It's my turn; my destiny" and go out and prove it.

For the past eleven years, when people asked me why I moved to Georgia, I vaguely explained that I "just needed something else."  If Jeep had been around to speak for me, it might have moved my inquisitors to tears as their commercial did today because they eloquently summed what I have been unable to express on my own.  It was my turn.  It was my destiny.  I had to prove it.

Within Jeep's wistful discourse one also finds my reasoning for returning to Missouri:  connection to my bloodline, and more precisely, Braden's connection to his.

Of course, Braden knew his bloodline prior to our return to the Show-Me State, but most of our visits consisted of five day marathon sprints to squeeze in time with the members of three clans.  Breezing by blurred faces of loved-ones was no way for him to form roots.  And thus our return--or my return and his transplant--to the homeland.

That's it?  That's why I cried?  If only it were that simple....

Three weeks ago my sister Tessa moved to L.A.  Motivated by love, which to some may seem a silly reason to relocate 1800 miles, Tessa answered the calling of her spirit, boldly taking charge of her turn and her destiny, to see what more life may have in store for her.  In many ways, Tessa came to her decision to move with more clarity that I did mine eleven years ago.  She processed it for months and consulted with those nearest to her heart before jumping into the decision whereas I woke one morning with a plan and announced my intention without concern for the opinions or sorrows of others.  (Those who know me well know I am a planner, often to a fault, who cautiously considers every move before making it.  Yet with both moves--to Georgia then and back to Missouri now--I acted quickly--mainly as to not talk myself out of the decision because of fear.  Tessa, whom many assume--somewhat incorrectly--to be impulsive, considered every scenario and came to her decision with confidence and clarity.)  There were moments during her process when I wanted to beg, "Don't go.  I just moved back home. Stay and get to know me again."  (And I especially wanted to offer up the "your nephew needs you" ploy.)  But I did not.  Could not.  Mainly because I understood, possibly better than anyone else in our family, why she needed to go.

And this is why I cried.  Because I miss her like crazy.  But am proud beyond measure.


See the commercial in its entirety here:
Fast Fever 2011 Jeep Compass - "Bloodline" Commercial

1 comment:

Chrissy said...

Great post. My sis is moving this summer, and as much as I wish she would stay put (as it will be a 4 hour trip for us instead of 2) I know she needs to go.

Followers