My daughter, a sailors daughter, is currently
involved in a fund raising event for her cheerleading crew. I’m not really a
big fan of cheerleading, I’ve never dated one nor have I ever really wanted
too. But, she wants to be one and of course I will support her in all of her
endeavors. So much so, that in the past I have almost strong armed people into
purchasing magazine subscriptions and selling all sorts of candy and wrapping
paper. This time though, it was a bit different.
You
see, this time, I did not lift a finger or open my billfold. Well, let me
codify that, I did open my wallet to make change. You see, my daughter as well
as all the other young ladies on her squad were tasked with raising four
hundred dollars to cover the cost of uniforms, weekend camp and other as
sundries I have no idea nor do I want to.
But,
to my child’s credit, she went out and knocked on doors, went to businesses and
basically strongarmed anyone within listening distance to give her money for
sponsorship or for a coupon for a fresh fried box of Krispy Kreme donuts. She
raised all but sixty-eight dollars by the time the donut sales were due.
Something no other cheerleader was able to do. I’m more than proud of her. I am
estatic for her. She had a goal and the desire to complete the goal. I can’t
say I’ve ever been more proud of anyone’s actions in my life.
As
a kid I was a newspaper boy, and I went from house to house in various cities
of Wisconsin trying to get people to subscribe to the paper I delivered. For
all that effort I was compensated in money and trips to local theme parks. But,
it seems to me I was never driven as much as my offspring is driven right now.
She has wanted to be a cheerleader for so long it seems to be ingrained in her
DNA. I can’t imagine wanting anything so
badly that I would go out and knock on complete strangers houses for fifty
percent of the profit just so I could wear some clothes that others wear. But
it is important to her and she is doing everything in her power to make sure her
dream is becoming a reality. I can respect that.
I
am sure there are times in every parent’s life where they wish their child
would just do what is needed to become an adult and not go above and beyond to
set themselves apart from the rest of the pack. I’ve always wished that for my
child. Simply because I do not want to see her suffer the disappointment that
comes with growing up and the inevitable failure that precedes success, yet,
she constantly amazes me with her tenacity and will to succeed in endeavors she
feels are important to her. Failures we have all experienced and have either
beaten us or made us stand up and fight even harder for what we want. But right
now, I don’t see failure on the horizon for my child, instead I see a steady
stream of success.
She
has shown great stamina and energy in her endeavor, more so than most of the
kids I see these days who basically just wait for someone to come along and
make their dreams come true through kindness or pity. These traits are admirable and I don’t know
when or where she got them. Hell, she won’t even clean up her room given a
monetary incentive but tell her she needs four-hundred bucks for cheerleading
and she is out the door with a hand decorated shoe box under one arm, her cell
phone in her other hand and a popsicle in her mouth shouting over her shoulder “I’ll
be back in a couple hours.”
And
she did come back, with more money than I would have thought possible. The grin
on her face and the air of success exuding from her was contagious. The look of
confidence she has now seems to have dashed my fears and worries against the
unknown shoals of life. I hope she remembers these days and this success not
for my sake, but for her own. For I know, regardless of everything I try to protect
her from those monsters of her future will inevitably show up. When they do, I
hope and pray she will remember this first and greatest success she has
achieved. If not, I hope she will remember the success when she is alone and
feeling defeated on a dark night when she feels she has no friends and has been
faced with what may seem and insurmountable goal.
Goose,
I love you and I am proud of you. Keep up the great work, you have my respect
and my undying love.
No comments:
Post a Comment