Some time ago, I was commissioned to write a piece from a daughter to her mother. I used my own parent’s as inspiration and this is what I wrote.  I was cleaning out my computer and wanted to share this with you.  There are eagles among us and within us. It is our job to find the courage to fly against the wind.

There are some birds…birds that fly in flocks to make their journey easier. Surrounded by their kind they create a momentum that allows them to glide through the air, each bird flies slightly above the bird in front of them. This flight pattern reduces wind resistance; it is the easier path to follow. All that it requires is that you stay in your place. Birds can travel for much longer periods of time this way because they use so much less energy.

Flying above our heads in the shape of a V, we watch birds find the easiest path to live, while we try to find our place in the formation of life. We search endlessly for a place where we can fit in, where life will provide the least resistance. Looking aimlessly for a sign…for hope that we fit in God’s master plan.. We look to the sky, beyond the clouds, in search for an answer…and then we see the eagle. Soaring higher than all the other birds the eagles are strong enough to fly alone. They are so strong the idea of flying against the wind does not scare them, it strengthens their will. In times of storm the eagles only fly higher, the wind of the storm gives them the push they need to soar higher heights.

It’s not often that we encounter eagles on earth…. We travel in flocks, do what it takes for us to be comfortable…. Every now and then however, we see someone brave enough to fly against the wind, use the storm to push them even further… every now and then God places an eagle on earth to teach us our own strength.

When rain poured and made your wings heavy you showed us how to take a storm and use it to take us higher. I sat back and watched as life gave you its strongest wind, I witnessed the strength in your wings, the determination in your tear filled eyes as you told life, “not this time…,you can’t take my joy..” I saw you fly above the flocks of those who said you shouldn’t make it, saw you put on your best face as our world looked at how you would respond to the troubles that abound… With your head held high and wings spread wide, I saw you soar…

Every now and then God gives us an eagle on earth… He allows us to witness firsthand the strength in standing alone. And while others may need to fly in a formation to make their life easier there are some people…some eagles… who create their own wind. you taught me to fly…. You taught me that my greatest strength arises when I feel the most weak….. More importantly you taught me that from where I stood it only looked like you were flying alone, you were really gliding on God’s unchanging hand. I celebrate the eagle in you, the eagle who showed me the strength that lies within myself. I don’t know what highs and lows may lay ahead but one thing I know for sure is that God’s created the perfect storm to lift you up, a flawless wind to strengthen your wings, and a daughter whose life has been forever changed by the breeze that trails behind you.

God give us the courage to find our own strength and give birth to our purpose. I recognize that extraordinary people must break away from their norm in order to go higher. I want to soar God. I want to take all that you’ve placed inside of me and put it on display for everyone to see. I know there wil be days when I will hurt. Days when I must shed tears and glide through life just to survive, but God help me to see past those moments so that I can find the eagle within me.