The Tattoo on My Shoulder Doesn’t Mean What It Used To
Photo of my Roots and Wings tattoo drawing by Christopher McDonald — Photo by Author.
The tattoo on my shoulder reads, “You can have Roots and Wings.” Inspired by the poem Roots and Wings by Denis Waitley, I got it in 2016.
It comforted me when I struggled to leave home and my mom after losing my Dad in a motorcycle accident.
I’d always been drawn to exploring the world and feared I’d never be truly happy or fulfilled if I didn’t.
My mom encouraged me, assuring me she couldn’t be happy either if I failed to pursue my passions. Always offering exactly the support I needed.
Less than a decade later, everything’s changed. Mom’s doctors just informed us there’s nothing more they can do. The Glioblastoma won. They give her a few more months, at best.
My roots are about to be ripped away. Now, I look at my tattoo, distraught, and I worry: How will I survive in the world with just wings?
No Roots, Just Wings — Photo of Painting by Author.
A former high school Spanish teacher, Brooke seized the opportunity to transition into a career in writing when she and her husband moved from the US to Colombia, where they currently reside, along with her stepdaughter.
In her freelance writing career, she specializes in "How to" blogs and articles. With experience writing on a variety of topics including tech products, apps, software, and resume and cover letter writing. A niche specialty that developed as a natural progression from her teaching background.
Her personal writing shares her experiences traveling and living abroad, teaching , and handling the trauma and grief of losing her father in a tragic motorcycle accident at the age of 19 and her mothers ongoing struggles since being diagnosed with stage four Glioblastoma Multiforme, an aggressive and typically terminal brain cancer.
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