March 23, 2001 - Do You Know Who Your Child Is?
 
Welcome to 2TheHeart!

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The most important thing in education is to make young people think for themselves. ~~Albert Schweitzer 1875~~


Today's story is one we call all relate to. Knowing our children's dreams and ambitions might be a surprise to us all!



Do You Know Who Your Child Is?
by Sandra Smith


A few years ago, while in junior high school, my youngest son chose to take Chorus as one of his elective classes. I remember thinking, what in the world for, this child can't carry a tune in a bucket... His achievements were on the football field, and on the track, but of course being the supportive parent I am, I kept the thought to myself, and encouraged him to do so, if that was what he wanted. He never spoke of his experiences in the class to me, but was always participating in helping out after school, with setting up the PA equipment, or helping to prepare the gym, for a performance, and I can remember thinking, "Well, since I know he can't sing,I guess this was his contribution to the class."

In the spring of that year, I had surgery, and was recuperating at home the week the Chorus gave their spring concert. I had always gone to anything the kids were involved in, and even though my son had personally asked me to attend, I didn't go to this event, telling myself, since my son didn't sing, I wouldn't miss anything. He was a bit upset, but said he understood, and never said another thing about it...At the beginning of the next school year, he came home one afternoon with a videotape of the concert. I sat down to watch, and you can imagine my surprise, when on the screen, my son, towering above most of the other students, steps up to the forefront, and opens his mouth to sing....I remember thinking...Oh No!....and prepared for the worst...As I watch, I hear this wonderful tenor voice coming out of this kid's mouth, and even though I see him singing, I still can't believe it's really him...In shock, I asked him, "Son...When did you learn to sing?" He looked at me, and I could plainly read the pain in his face as he said  "Mom, I've always known how to sing."

I felt like crawling under the chair I was sitting in. I realized at that moment, I didn't know who my child was.To me, he was the big jock, the all-around athlete. I had not seen, or even been aware of any other potential he might have had. I had to tell him, and then apologize for my oversight. I told him how proud I was of him, and how sorry I was that I had not been there that night, as he made his debut. He said "I know you weren't able to come that night, that's why I asked my teacher to tape the concert for you."

Mom did some growing up that day. I learned that my children may not be all I thought they would be.....They may be MORE.......Do you know who your child is?



Copyright 2001 Sandra Smith
homergrl@yahoo.com


I am from Alabama, where at he present time, the issue as to if classes like Band, Chorus, and all Sports being eliminated from our states school ciriculum, is on the table, due to budget cuts within the school system. My despondency over this loss, should it occur, is what prompted this story...I pray, and ask for all of your reader's prayers that this does not happen. My son will graduate next year, and has chosen not to play football, for the first time since he began playing in junior high school. He said he would rather take Chorus.  I am married, have 2 sons, ages 22 and 17. I am an RN, and in my spare time, in between the family, the pets,and work, spend my time on the net enjoying reading everyone else's stories!

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The Letter Box:


Dear 2TheHeart,
As I read todays story by Nancy Kopp it gave me cause to think my Middle School years. I had Polio between 6th and 7th grades. I too wore braces and attended "regular" school. I was lucky enough to be at a school that had a ramp in the middle of it. Of course some of the boys used it for a race between classes. That was not my challenge, skating was! I did skate (some) until I fell and had to sit on the steps and "scoot" up backward. Needless to say, that was my last time to skate! I could NOT hide this from my folks as my legs were bruised from the strain of trying to skate with "straight leg braces". Thanks to Nancy for jogging my memory, and to you Susan for all the good you are doing!
Hersheys,
~Geneva Keever 
keevrg@mlode.com


Dear Nancy,
You were fortunate to learn about this young girls strength. When I was in junior high, I had a friend who was wheelchair bound because of Scoliosis. Years later she had an operation that freed her from her wheelchair. She was the first physically handicapped person I had ever seen. She always had a big smile and a kind word for everybody.

Later, although we attended different high schools in Seattle, we met again in church and renewed our friendship. She was a delight.  Her back was still twisted, but it didn't effect her enthusiasm.

Winnie went on to marry and have two lovely children. She lives in Texas and we keep in touch via e-mail now. Thank you for the lovely story.
~Pat Lowe  pawlowe@televar.com


Dear Nancy Julien Kopp,
Thank you for writing this story. I had polio as a child and spent my whole life trying to prove that I was like everyone else. In my wise old age I have come to realize that I am unique and that it's perfectly okay for me to be "different". After all, aren't we all?  :-)  You story made me proud and I saw my own determination in that little girl's eyes. Your compassion shines through in your work.
~Shirley

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    Making a difference, one story at a time!