Roots and wings.

Recently, I saw a sign that said, “the greatest gifts we can give to our children are roots and wings.” I've been lost in my thoughts about it ever since. Certainly because, at the time I wrote this article, my daughters were exploring the world alone for three weeks, for the first time, without me and their father.

In her 20 years of life, this was the first birthday that Luiza celebrated far away from us.

I learned very early, with my dad and mom, that we raise our children for the world. However, if we could, we would keep them protected under our wings for their entire lives, wouldn't we? Our hearts sink when they embark on their solo adventures. Who will protect them from the dangers of the world?

That's why it's so important to trust the roots that we gave them, through our example, values, limits, emotional security and unconditional love.

I was surprised when my girls told us that their travel companions were always surprised that they, still teenagers, were traveling alone. This made me remember two stories from another time, in the last century, in a completely analogue and non-globalized world: my own and Eduardo′s, my husband.

In 1967, at the end of his 11th year of life, Eduardo wanted to study at the Military College. As Rio de Janeiro′s unit only accepted children of military personnel, the closest alternative for the child of a civilian was the school in Belo Horizonte, a 6 hours distance car trip. And there he went to live and study in that unit.

Twenty years later, in 1987, at just 17 years old, I left the hot summer of Fortaleza, my hometown, to live in Cambridge, England, in the middle of a snowy cold winter.

I admire and applaud the example of my father and mother, my father-in-law and my mother-in-law. I don't know if I could have such courage, as a mother, to let my girls leave far from me in those pre historic communications times.

On the other hand, with those early experiences we had, it would be impossible for me and Eduardo to stop our daughters from flying. Even more now, in times of WhatsApp!

We are sure that we have built roots as strong and healthy for them as those we received from our fathers and mothers. These roots are the safe haven that encourages them to spread their wings and take flight to discover and conquer the world!

And you, have you given roots and wings to your children?

#faircause?#justcausing

I am?Neivia Justa,?awarded and recognized?Brazilian activist corporate leader,?Vital Voices Visionary 2022,?mother of Luiza and Julia,?two teenager college girls, journalist, entrepreneur, influencer, teacher, mentor, speaker, consultant and?connector of purposeful leaders who think, communicate and act in a conscious, diverse, inclusive and innovative way to guarantee a sustainable future for all, beginning with women, all women.