There are so many things I love about this picture of my daughter. When I asked if I could take a picture of her she said, “okay,” backed up a little bit away from me and struck this pose. This picture speaks a thousand words to me. It says, I did it, look at me, I can do anything! Her super cute grin exudes a well deserved pride in her accomplishment.
I want my kids to know that they can do and be anything they want. Anything. I want them to understand the possibilities of life and I want them to get it, now. Or soon anyway. I want them to have the idea that they can do and be whatever they love. That their passions can pave their path. I think it would be really cool if they knew this before the pressures and obligations of making a living start to creep their way into their worlds.
I played soccer in middle school, was on the both the regular and travel teams in high school and also played for my college team for two years. I loved this sport more than anything. I remember one day at the end of the year in high school our coach gathered us around for a talk. He asked us if any of us thought about going all the way in this sport and playing for the national team. Many of us nodded our heads. Yes we thought about it. He then looked at us and asked, “Then why didn’t any of you ask me how?” He went on to say that nobody ever asked him how to be the best, how to go on and play in the big leagues… he shook his head at us as he talked.
What the f@#$!?
I realize now that there were probably more than a few of us that had the drive and talent to do it. We didn’t think to ask. I think I assumed that if I was good enough that I would be told I was good enough. Someone had to tell me what I could be or do. This talk has stuck with me for years. A mild regret that I never asked. What if I had asked? What would my life have been like?
Today I know that my path, every part of it, has been perfection. No use in regrets. I have no hesitations about the fact that I was not meant to be a national soccer team member. But I do think about my kids. I think about letting them know about their opportunities. I want them to have an understanding that they don’t have to wait for someone to tell them it is okay to pursue a passion. I want them to know that no idea is out of reach, that if they can dream it, they can have it, do it, be it.
A year or two ago, if you had asked my son Jonathan what he wanted to be when he grew up he would have told you about three possibilities: a professional baseball player, a taekwondo master, or an olympic snow boarder. Cool. Yeah buddy, in fact, why not all three.
COMMENTS
Isn’t it wonderful to have a second chance, of sorts, with your children? To recognize the good, the bad, and the ugly of your childhood, and then see how you can help your children to have it even better. Your post is very well-written and reflects the great Mom you are!
