So my son turns 21 today. He is officially an adult. When I look at him, I try to see signs of this. I am squinting....but nuttin'. Of course, the big thing is oooo ahhhh he can now buy alcohol. Wow. So here's where the hope for the solid foundation kicks in. I'm not really worried about that, I know he actually has brains and has had it drilled into his head enough about drinking and driving and excess and alcoholism, so I feel like there's not too much more to say about that.
It's all the rest. Letting go of childishness, blame and the world owes me a living attitude. It's how to be a man, how to be a father, how to be a decent human being....did I tell him everything? Why work is not just work but contribution. How hardship is a learning opportunity. How to be humble and productive even if the other guy isn't. How to respect age and wisdom (so far, this has not been his strong point...) How to understand forever isn't.
How to turn regret into action. And most important, how to change your story. Again and again. How to figure out that your past does not define your future unless you let it. How you don't have to be "that guy" no matter where you come from.
21 years just doesn't seem like enough time to teach all that. Or learn it. But it does seem like the time to teach is done. Time to learn.....
Happy Birthday, Woodstock! Time to fly....
3 comments:
wow.
I worry too, but mine is further from this "starting gate." Some of those lessons take a lifetime or two to learn.
He has been listening and watching. He knows.
One of the hardest parts of parenthood is standing back and watching as they spread their wings and fly. Watching them fly is a wondrous thing.
He'll do fine, he's got good folks.
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