In Sight
Are your roots deep or shallow?
A few years ago, New England experienced a very damaging storm in our region with driving rain and high winds over an extended period. In the aftermath, residents of our neighborhood emerged from the shelter of their homes to assess the damage. Debris was scattered across our lawns, with fallen trees cluttering the landscape. What struck me as odd was the selective nature of what had been uprooted. Some species of trees and bushes were undisturbed, while others were strewn across the yards. The
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Interesting metaphor, Stepan. All these years in Kessab, Syria and in Beirut, Lebanon I have no recollection of ever seeing a tree topple, but I saw and experienced in the U.S. Surely because of shallow roots. But why sallow roots? Because of abundance of water, rain. Kessab is arid, villagers, at one time the villagers kept vigil in the church praying for rain. Hamasdegh in դհէ U.S. fondly remembered it and had a lengthy story about rain in one his popular books tiled “The Village and Rain”. The roots the Kessab trees cast, went far into the earth to sustain the tree. The analogy I draw from my experience is for Diaspora to unconditionally stand by the Armenians in Armenia. Diaspora’s terrain is way different than Armenia’s.
They’re not lesser, just more vulnerable to drought and storm.
I really enjoyed this reflection on roots and identity. The way you used the metaphor of deep versus shallow roots — starting with personal and natural imagery — made the broader ideas about community and heritage feel relatable and meaningful. It reminded me how our connections to family, culture, and history shape who we are, even when we live far from home. Thanks for sharing such a thoughtful piece that encourages readers to pause and think about what truly grounds us and gives us strength.