The time has arrived in
our world for Lula and KJ to begin selecting their courses for the
next year in high school. I never panic too much about the process, I
let them choose whatever they want basicly. I know that's not how you
are suppose to do it. I understand that you are suppose to work with
them to develop a post secondary strategy and then guide them in
selecting the courses that will get them to their goal. I understand
that is how the good honor roll, ivy league parents get the job
done. I also don't care.
When E-man was little
(or littler than he is now) he had one desire. He wanted to be a
hotdog. Not the guy showing off on the basketball court or the hockey
rink, or a guy who makes hotdogs, not even a guy dressed up as hot
dog. He wanted to be an actual hotdog. A real live, lips and arsehole
tube steak on a good old fashioned enriched white roll with ketchup.
It was hilarious! In his defence he was not quite three years old and
being a hotdog was as plausible as being a princess, a juggler at the
circus or a mermaid. We got such a kick out of it we used to use him
like a party trick... “Grandma, ask E what he wants to be when he
grows up.” For 6 months anytime someone asked his answer was 'A
Hotdog' there was no wavering. Something else that never wavered was
the reaction. “That's silly, you can't be a hotdog!”
At first E was adamant
that 'yes he could so be a Hotdog' he would argue and defend his
dream. By the end of his 6 month hotdog dream he was answering with
'I know.' Looking back it kind of breaks my heart, he didn't know he
couldn't be a hotdog, not until everybody told him it wasn't
possible, not until everyone told him that his dream was silly.
Eventually he wanted to be a policeman like every other little boy.
We do this, in the name
of securing good futures for our kids, we rob them of their dreams or
rather opportunities to dream every day. We tell them what they
should be pursuing, guide them away from pursuits that seem
pointless, fruitless and time wasting. We redirect them and tell them
them when they want to be a hotdog that their dream is silly and not
achievable.
How on earth do you
discover that you have a passion to climb a mountain if no one ever
lets you wander in the foothills with a rope and a carabiner?
High school is an
amazing opportunity to try everything and anything on. Where else can
you be a chef in the morning, an account executive before lunch and
an auto mechanic in the afternoon. I have one rule when it comes to
picking courses. Pick whatever you want, as long as you go, as long
as you give it your all. It's your life, your choices, your future.
If I steer your ship, you may never discover the land that excites
your passion. There will always be time to reroute, pick up the
courses you need and re-chart your course. They may very well be in high school for 8 years, I get that. I also get that is so much easier
than waking up each and everyday heading into your job as a
pharmacist wishing you were a hotdog.
Gratitude today for the freedom to dream.
"Dream, all things are possible for those who believe"
Michelle
