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| Strong Willed |  |
And being kind of stupid, we thought that was a good trait. We thought “This will serve them well. They will think for themselves! They will not succumb to peer pressure or be swayed by propaganda! They will question authority!” And by golly, they did. Starting with us. For example, at a certain time of my son’s life, I was told “this is the time to toilet-train your child.” So, being kind of stupid (see above) I started the process. Only to be met with rebellion. Our pediatrician gave me the best advice ever: “Back off.” And three months later, my son announced on a Sunday afternoon that he wanted to wear underwear. And he never had a single accident. My daughter wasn’t even two-years old when we were in the toy store one day looking at the stuffed animals. There were all kinds in different shapes and color and a lot of cartoon characters were represented. My daughter pounced on one gray-striped nondescript cat, shoved it under her little 18-month-old arm and then marched out of the toy store like she was leading a parade. We knew then this parenting thing wasn’t going to be an easy ride. There was good stuff, too. They said my daughter would never be able to keep up if she skipped a grade in elementary school. Not only did she keep up, due to the work she did in high school, she has also skipped a grade in college. My son played the alto saxophone. But when the band needed a tenor sax, he learned that. And the next year when they needed a baritone sax, he picked up the bari. My son has also taken extremely difficult college classes while doing well at his job. In one of those classes, he had a project involving magnets, copper wire and a LED light bulb. Don’t ask me to explain. I’m kind of lost after watching Uncle Fester make the light bulb work by sticking it in his mouth. He did the project but it did not work. He could have written it up by explaining why it didn’t work (to show knowledge of the science involved) but he said he did not want to give up. And, by golly, that little light did shine. My daughter had her heart set on being in the college marching band. She had played flute for the past eight years (and she is very, very good) but the marching band does not have flutes in it. So, she taught herself to play the alto sax. And she is in the college marching band. And is, by far, the cutest one out there. Both kids get good grades and are majoring in the sciences. I could not be more proud. I’m sure you’re wondering about this parental bragging letter. I do have a point. Like me, I’m sure you pay attention. You know what is going on in the world. You hear the naysayers as they pronounce it is unfixable, that cruelty and war are just human nature and, by and large, we are doomed. And you probably have a moment, sometimes a very long moment, when you feel a bit of despair. Maybe have your faith shaken. Your hope might even be slipping away a little. But, then I remember my kids, who are not kids anymore. These two young adults and many others their age do not listen to the naysayers because, I mean, c’mon; who says that anymore. Nay? Really? Not even Mr. Ed said “nay” and he had an excuse. You don’t listen to the basket people mumble so why would you listen to anyone who runs around saying “nay” out loud and in public as if they had good sense? Could you be more ridiculous? No, these people don’t accept the words “you can’t” as a statement. It’s a challenge. And, as irrational as it may be, that brings back a little of my hope. I start to think: it might be possible. But, no matter what, it sure beats the heck out of saying “nay.”
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