“When I turn 5 will you cry?
Because when I turn 5 I’ll be grown-up. And when I grow up I’ll be a construction worker and a band guy during the week, a detective at night, and then work at the hospital on the weekend.”
What will you do at the hospital?
“I’ll try to make all the kids there laugh by telling jokes, I’ll also do magic tricks for them. And I want to look inside bodies to see bones and stuff.”
My son. The magician-musician-comedian-surgeon-detective-construction worker.
So I followed up by telling him what I wanted to be when I grew up.
When I was little I wanted to be a teacher during the day, a waitress at night, and work at Disneyland on the weekends.
After defining a waitress and explaining what Disneyland is, he observed-
“Mom- you didn’t get to be that when you grew up. Maybe when I’m 5 and you don’t have to take care of me anymore you can.”
At first I said, “you’re right, I didn’t.” But the more I thought about it I realized I’m a waitress 24/7, am definitely teaching now, and am considering homeschooling. I am exactly what I wanted to be when I grew up- during the week.
As for Disneyland on the weekends, it’s all a matter of perspective. After that little chat with my son I have a new goal for our household. And not only on the weekends, but all the time.
Making our home the happiest place on earth.
A friend’s recent status update read “I wonder what would happen if I woke up tomorrow morning thinking….I GET to mother my little ones, instead of feeling like I have to mother them??? This is a good thought for me!”
And then I heard JJ Heller’s song “I Get To Be the One.” Which includes the lyrics:
Well hello,
Little baby.
Your eyes have never seen the sun
You should know
Little baby
That I am the lucky one
I get to be the one to hold your hand
I get to be the one.
Through birthdays and broken bones
I’ll be there to watch you grow
I get to be the one.
Perspective matters. I need to change mine on a daily basis. And since I only have a few more months before my big 5 year old strikes out on his own, I will make every moment count.