Dreams

As parents we have such grand dreams for our children. We want them to succeed in everything they attempt. Not just succeed, we want them to excel. We want them to find meaning and purpose in those dreams. The challenge we have is accepting their dreams and not imposing ours.

When Brian was 6 we lived in Japan and he played soccer in the local league. He was unstoppable. He would score 10, 12, 15 goals a game. It got to the point where the coach would play him as goalie just to make sure the games weren’t blow outs each and every time. Brian would be in goal and would be constantly asking the coach, “now”, “now coach.” At some point the coach would say “now” and Brian would dribble the ball from his goal all the way to the other side of the field and score. He would get mobbed at some point along the way but, he always found a way through the crowd to find the goal. For me it was all I could want, the next Ronaldo, Beckham or Oliver Kahn. Brian continued to play soccer and was always good. He was an athlete and I enjoyed that.

As Brian got older, while he enjoyed sports, his likes changed. He enjoyed writing lyrics and mixing music. He especially enjoyed movies and the behind the scenes aspects of movies. Not the acting  but the producing and directing. He also enjoyed creating humor and dabbled in stand up comedy.  He wanted to create! His mom was his biggest fan and encouraged him at every turn. It took me a bit to come around and it is a regret of mine. He was good. Because he was so inquisitive and had a worldly view it allowed him to weave experiences together to tell his story, tell his dream.

It’s a challenge to let go of your dreams for your kids and embrace the ones they have chosen for themselves. That however is a core aspect of unconditional love. Letting them grow as they would like. Brian was an artist and he was good.

It’s yours though, it’s personal. Kids go for it. Parents support it, unconditionally. Brian had his dream and was happiest when he was pursuing it with all his heart. I loved those times, I miss those times………..

Quoted from Cinderella:

“Have faith in your dreams and someday
Your rainbow will come smiling through
No matter how your heart is grieving
If you keep on believing
The dream that you wish will come true”