The giant redwood trees of California have strangely shallow root systems that spider out just under the surface to catch as much surface moisture they can. Heavy winds would bring these giants crashing to the ground if it were not for the fact that they grow in clusters and their intertwining roots support each another.
There’s a message for us in that. When we are together we provide this same support. Pain and suffering come to all of us, but, just like those giant redwoods, we are supported by the intertwining of our lives with others. It’s the knowledge that we are not alone; that there are others who are there to hold us up, that helps us survive the storms of life. That’s why, in an age that’s obsessed with good investments, we need to remember that our real security is in our relationships.