The 10 of Pentacles can represent recognizing that decisions will soon need to be made about the kind of security patterns established in one's life.  Current stability might be stable but it is not growing or developing.  Job or home situation is steady but not stimulating.  Financial situation is safe and low-risk.  There may be stagnation if changes are not made soon.  For now the stability and security feels comfortable and seeking changes isn't a priority.

The Fradella 10 of Discs shows Sanctuary, a neutral zone created for superheroes and villains alike to relax and put aside their enmities.  It is a retreat, a safe place for them to go and escape from the responsibilities and demands put upon them by the world.  The Anna K 10 of Pentacles shows an older couple, a younger couple with a newborn infant and a young woman gathered together.  There are pentacles decorated streamers hanging behind them and the young woman holds an other strand.  The younger couple must be celebrating their child's birth with their family.  There is a sense of contentment and richness to this scene.  The young couple are aware of the blessings and want to share them with those they love. 

The overwhelming message of this card to me is that the love and support of family is worth more than all the material possessions one can have.  It is our connections to our family that allow us to bloom.  It doesn't matter whether those we consider family are truly biological relatives, simply that we consider them family.  I think one of the challenges in American society is that we form such shallow attachments to others - treating people we barely know as best friends, that we deny ourselves the pleasure of having a support network that allows us to truly sink in our roots.  We end up with a series of superficial connections to others and when we truly need their support and love, they are not there for us.  We may be like a plant that is able to grow in a harsh and hard-scrabble environment but it leaves us very vulnerable to environmental conditions and with few inner resources left to call upon when we need them.

I think the current situation with the in-laws is a reminder that we can't do this alone.  We need the support of friends and relatives who have experienced similar situations as well as community support.  We need to be open enough to admit that we need help; to be willing to ask others for advice.  This is not always either for either of us.  We have a tendency to fully embrace the "rugged individualist" attitude that can be so prevalent in America.  Another factor is that there have been times in the past when we have asked family members for support and assistance and were ignored or turned down.  That doesn't inspire confidence in their ability or willingness to help us now.

At the same time this card reminds me that I need to be a support for my family as well.  It is not just a one way street.  Right now my sister is going through a real rough patch.  Her 18 year marriage looks like its lease has expired.  That is a really difficult situation for her.  I need to be there to support and comfort her when she needs it.  It's not a time for me to cling to my typical "Debbie knows best" persona but to really listen to what she needs and try to offer constructive and helpful advice rather than snarky remarks.

The bottom line is that the 10 of Pentacles is a visual and visible reminder that it does take a village to raise a child.  The parents may be the primary caregivers but the child also needs aunts and uncles, grandparents and other family members to provide love and support.  Of course the challenge arises when grandparents or other relatives feel they know how to rear the child better than the parent.  That is not their function.  They can step in when the parent is unable to deal with the situation (or is no longer there) but otherwise it's important to realize that it's not about proving how much smarter you are or that you are a better parent.  It's about making sure the child feel surrounded by love and acceptance; that the child feels safe and secure.  That's what a child truly needs and all the Xboxes and iPods in the world cannot replace that.