Wednesday, January 21, 2009

WE'RE EAGLES!!!



My strength, I owe to my Mother...........


One of the ways my mother taught my brother and sisters and I, how to fight through life is through this story, she loved it. It became our anthem in life, what we hold on to, who we have all become. When I would need a pep talk to get through hard times, she would tell me this story!




A naturalist was visiting a farmer one day and was surprised to see a beautiful eagle in the farmer’s chicken coop. "Why in the world, asked the naturalist, have you got this eagle living in with the chickens?" "Well, answered the farmer, I found him when he was little and raised him in there with the chickens. He doesn’t know any better, he thinks he is a chicken." The naturalist was dumbfounded. The eagle was pecking the grain and drinking from the watering can. The eagle kept his eyes on the ground and strutted around in circles, looking every inch a big, over-sized chicken. "Doesn’t he ever try to spread his wings and fly out of there?" asked the naturalist. "No, said the farmer, and I doubt he ever will, he doesn’t know what it means to fly." "Well, said the naturalist, "let me take him out and do a few experiments with him." The farmer agrees, but assured the naturalist that he was wasting his time. The naturalist lifted the bird to the top of the chicken coop fence and said "Fly!" He pushed the reluctant bird off the fence and it fell to the ground in a pile of dusty feathers. Next, the undaunted researcher took the ruffled chicken/eagle to the farmer’s hay loft and spread it’s wings before tossing it high in the air with the command "FLY!" The frightened bird shrieked and fell ungraciously to the barn-yard where it resumed pecking the ground in search of it’s dinner. The naturalist again picked up the eagle and decided to give it one more chance in a more appropriate environment, away from the bad examples of chicken lifestyle. He set the docile bird on the front seat of his pickup truck next to him and headed for the highest butte in the country. After a lengthy and sweaty climb to the crest of the butte with the bird tucked under his arm, he spoke gently to the goldenbird. "Friend, he said, you were born to soar. It is better that you die here today on the rocks below than live the rest of your life being a chicken in a pen, gawked at and out of your element." Having said these final words, he lifted the eagle up and once more commanded it to "FLY!" He tossed it out in space and this time, much to his relief, it opened it’s seven-foot wingspan and flew gracefully into the sky. It slowly climbed in ever higher spirals, riding unseen thermals of hot air until it disappeared into the glare of the morning sun. The naturalist smiled and thought how happy he was with his days work. Like the eagle, he had for many years, let other people define his worth and direct his life for him. Like the eagle, it had taken a life and death situation for him to realize his self worth and real calling in life.




We all knew the story well, that finally, all she would have to say is YOUR AN EAGLE BY DAMN! We all have handed this story down to our children and I hope they all do the same for their children or should I say their Eagles!! I have been thinking alot about My Lexi lately, she is coming to a cross road in life, she will be graduating soon and is working hard to find a way to go to college. She is driven , I love and admire it! Lexi has concerns about leaving me and I know she worries about me, she is scared to leave me alone. We all have to become Eagles and soar, college will do that for her, it is her time! For me, it is time to spread my wings, a changing time for me too, we are not chickens, we do not put our heads is the sand, we are EAGLES! I will be fine, it will be a new chapter in life for the both of us! We have alot of liven to do!

29 comments:

☂niki. said...

Oh man, the tears are welling. Oh wait. Yes. Now they're spilling over.

I love you so much. I love Lexi so much. I love this story and I love grandma wright.

Man... I'm just full of love, aren't I?!

Eliza said...

I agree with Niki, this is tear invoking. I miss Grandma Wright. And I love the story of the eagle. And I can't believe Lexi will be graduating, she can't possibly be old enough!?! That means I'm gettin old!

Tara said...

Goodness gracious. The ever famous, ever loved, ever encouraging eagle story. I do love it. You've got the best kids, Lexi amazes me with her maturity. You and John did darn well. So much change all around us. I will try to embrace it all, like you. Love ya, Lori.

Jo Dee said...

I have always loved that story. Thanks for sharing it with me again. By the way I am dying to hear your"secret" I will try to stop by the library to hear it. Please come to RS Sunday cause I am teaching the lesson and its on an awesome talk!

Lindsay Jones said...

I sure love my family. We come from a good one!

Michelle said...

You are a wise wise woman

mandi said...

I think i needed to hear this today, I worry about you daily and I wish I could change the situation we are in.I would n ever want Lexi to hold back on her future,but it fightens me to see you without her.I needed to hear that you will be ok,and So will Lexi,she will love what her future brings and she has so much support from all of us who love her so much and so do you.Th only reason we can get through all this is because we have eachother.I love you all more than words can say and I am so blessed to be part of something so special and eternal. We are so fortunate to have so much love. I can't wait to be with you guys soon. 1 week,love you all infinity

Michelle said...

I definitely have always loved this story. Even though I feel like a chicken most of the time, it always helps to know that I can soar. I love grandma wright, I feel very lucky to be named after her. Sometimes its hard because I do feel like a really different person than she was and I don't want people to think that I am not living up to her name. I think of her often hoping that she is watching me and hoping that she is proud of me. I have always wanted to please her. Change is always hard but the good thing about it is that it helps you grow. Your family is always there for you and will be there through all the hard changes.

julz said...

I never heard that whole story. It is inspiring and makes me think if I am living to my potential. Are we doing all we can? I have felt like that chicken/eagle many times and I also know what its like to soar. I just wish I always had the strength to fly. Lori you truly are an example to me of someone who can fly. You have strength I could only dream to have. Love ya

Hot Buns in the Kitchen said...

To the wise eagle...
After I get done smearing my makeup (wait, I didn't bother to use any today) and blowing my shnoz... I want to tell you that you are my fav today! I love it! I want Lexi to go to school. When I left for college I was a bundle of emotions... good and bad. It didn't help that I slept in between my mother and father the night before I left... like a two year old... which wasn't too great for my dad because he had to wear sweats to bed since he had no p.j.s! Every time my mother called for the next month we cried. One day my dad said, "enough..." and with that I realized that my mother would always be mine... and no matter where I was she would be taken care of... and with the distance I found out a whole box of things that I could do on my own... and I loved her more than I ever did... for letting me spread my wings. As I get older, my parents get smarter... and Lexi is so incredibly lucky to have the mother that loves her more than she loves herself...
So... today I am more impressed by mothers who love their babes... and I love you more for it.

Alexa Mae said...

i truly needed this story today, and actually as a reminder everyday. i have never heard it, and it is amazing. you are amazing and so is lex. you both were born to be phenomenal. i love ya!

Brian and Brianna said...

I always sit down to look at your blog with a box of tissues. You are so wonderfully amazing! You are such a good mama! I love you and your uplifting stories :) Thank you so much too for meeting with us the other night! I can't tell you how much I appreciate you helping me and my 2nd fam. I love you!

Rusty and Jacquie said...

You are one inspiring women!! I think of you often...I wish sometimes life didn't get caught up with all of us and we could just catch up all the time...Thanks for the sweet comment!! You're a dear! Love ya!

Bernadette said...

Dear Mrs. Crum,
I don´t know you but I´m all so sure you are a wonderful woman!
You gave birth to five beautiful daughters and made them find their place in life. When I think of all the love Niki has inside, I can imagine how much love she got from her family, from her mother.
Reading your words gives the felling of security and joy.
I wanna thank you so much for your nice comments and I hope to read more from you soon, no matter if it´s through your, Niki´s or my blog!
Not to forget: I love the "Flying fox" shower gel and the fantastic "Honey, I washed the kids" soap from Lush. Their fragrances make me happy!
Greetings and love from Austria,
Bernadette

Itsagirlsworld said...

Lori........ Words don't do justice what I want to say to you. You truly are an inspiration to me. LIFE... and all the changes. I pray every day that I can learn to love the changes and to be the best me. An eagle ?? HMMM sounds just like something I shall try to become!

Luke & Shawnie said...

You made me cry too! What a great story! Luke and I need to come over and visit! I can't believe we havent, and we live so close! We love you Lori!

Lucille Jarvis said...

I'm an eagle by damn!!! And now I have a blog!!
http://grammylujives.blogspot.com/

Alli said...

mother i love you, mother i do father in heaven has sent me to you! when i am near you I love to hear you singing so softly that you love me too. Mother I love you I love you I DO!!! you are such a great example to me and I don't know what I would do without you! I love you forever and always to the sky and back times infinity!!! Can't get more than that!!

Jill said...

Aunt Lori! Big hugs and lots of kisses from us! I miss you! Check out my blog! I've updated some!

Jill said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Barbie said...

Wow! You have really been a pillar of strength in my eyes. I am just beginning the journey that you are near the tail end of. Nathan is turning 17 this year and I am dreading having my only boy leave me. It's too soon. 18 years doesn't seem long enough. But, I know that he needs it. I will look to you always as an example of unconditional love and support. I hope my children feel the same way about me as your children do about you. What an honor to be a mohter. You keep on keeping on. You know that you have a special legion of angels with you.

Jill said...

Hi, Thanks for all the great comments on my blog! You are so great! I am coming this Friday as a matter of fact! I will be there for Benson's blessing! How long is Mandi staying?? I cant wait to see you guys!!!

Jill

Jules said...

Lori i just love you so much! I have never heard this story and like everyone has said, i needed to hear this right now. You are such an amazing example to me and to everyone!

Lucille Jarvis said...

Sista, one rule. Do not make comments that make me cry. We are so sisters, your new background is one I was deciding on , love it. Lori, you are absolutely amazing! What a great example you are to ALL. I am the lucky one, to be your sister is a blessing and honor, remember this, " Are you twins?, no just sisters, oh,twins are sisters.." I love you forever. you rock and JIVE, love lu

Gail said...

wow, looks like you struck a nerve! That IS a great story, I wish I'd known about it for times when I didn't know what to say to my kids to cheer them on. Thanks for sharing it now, already one of my own has benefitted. I'm glad my girls have had your influence in their lives and because of blogging, they can continue to have it. (You're too special not to share yourself!) Thanks for being the best and one of my best friends...you are my hero! Love You.

Jayne said...

Hi Lori,
nice to find your blog. your daughter is beautiful,
this will be fun to keep in touch better.

lizjwright said...

Dearest Sister,
I am so touched and proud of you that I could go on and on..( I did, what else is new? tell me..isn"t that what these blogs are for? lololol) let me just try to sum up my thoughts by reminding you of something when we were little kids...how I would hold your hand at night..if you were scared.. Now, you hold my hand..the other..we both hold onto the Eagle"s Wing and Soar!
Do you think when Mother told us that story she knew she would save us all and for generations from such despair and doom?
And now through you..you inspire and share such strength and spiritual fire!
You too are my Hero ..You are The Wind Beneath My Wings.....
I want to be where the Eagles Land ..that's Wright ..I am an Eagle by Damn.. Your love and kindness brings us all great joy and is more important than - Anything!
You were very little once- small and petite that is true..but nothing now- could ever get passed the Eagle strength in you! Yeah, you are my Hero sister and without you..oh! what would I do? You might be smaller, you might be younger, but how wonderful it would be... to even just be a little bit more.... like you!

You will never know how much I love you and your incredible daughters, entire family. I have been so blessed to have been born in such an amazing family full of such depth and loyal love. Thank you for sharing your beautiful life with me.. Liz your other favorite.

Lori Lumsden Smith said...

Lori, just when I think I've got you down there's another dimension to you that leaves me speechless. Fly baby, Fly!!!
Love ya!
Oh, and by the way. My mom just told me to "get up and shake it out".

Suz said...

I know you posted this a while ago... but today is your birthday... so even though this post was amazing (as you are) I am commenting to wish you a very Happy Birthday! I hope it was an amazing day. My wish for you this year.... Let's see... Ummmmm.... Something wonderfully unexpected! I wish you something WONDERFULLY unexpected you way that will send your Joynesses into orbit.
Happy Birthday Lady... You are one of my favorites!
Becky