Hello and welcome to a happy, happy Saturday here at the Wannaskan Almanac. Today is December 28th, aka The Oldest's birthday!
There's lots of excitement over at the rodina Hruba abode as we celebrate The Oldest and the big 1-8. I don't know about you, but for us, it if feels like the kids are little forever - the time between sixth through ninth grade a particularly swampy slog - then *poof* a driver's license, homework for classes that lands way out of the vicinity of parental help parameters, part-time jobs, trying all kinds of extracurricular activities, trying to get in ample and meaningful volunteering and service hours, time to think about college, not enough sleep, Snapchat and Instagram (but not Facebook), and more and more time spent with friends instead of family. While on the child rearing journey, admittedly, we, the parents, occasionally yearn for a break from the kid then suddenly *kapow!* the kids wants a break from us.
Now, on this last leg of high school, while said kid studies hard, applies for colleges, and begins collecting (not packing yet, though) the things she'll need for that anticipated college dorm, I wonder, what great wisdom can we bestow as she prepares to spread her wings and hop from the family nest. I've collected a cache of mommy-isms over the years; things I hoped would reflect our values and help her show up in the world with confidence, but also with kindness.
Choose friends who make you feel good about yourself.
It's easier to break things than it is to fix them.
There's always enough for everybody.
Two wrongs don't make a right.
All you can do is ask and the other person has a choice; they can say yes or no. (And that's okay.)
You are a leader in exactly who you are. (And who you are is enough.)
Perfect is good but done is better.
Sometimes you know it for yourself and that's enough.*
* (Note: I distinctly remember learning this one from my own grandmother. We were parked in a minivan in front of the Flamingo hotel in Las Vegas just after the Christmas holiday. Maybe it was even on December 28. I had been complaining about how scary/horrible/awful her Husband #4's driving was while he checked us into the hotel. I was a sophomore in college. My grandmother turned her head and said out of the side of her mouth, "Sometimes you know it for yourself and that's enough." This made no sense to me. If you know it, and you believe it to be true - and I really did think his driving had deteriorated to downright scary - shouldn't a person say something? It was probably the closest thing my grandmother had ever come to scolding me and I never forgot it. I never understood it, but I never forgot it. Then I had my own children and one day, especially with The Oldest, this little kernel of wisdom popped out of my mouth and it completely made sense.)
Don't let your fear eat you.
Dream big.
A parent can only hope some of this stuff sticks, but honestly it's best to expect it to go in one ear and out the other. Or better yet, have no expectations at all.
And then one day the craziest thing happens. The kid says to her (whiny) younger siblings, "Choose friends who make you feel good about yourself. There's always enough for everybody. Two wrongs don't make a right."
And, "Guys, listen to your mother."
I grin, partially in amazement and partially in relief.
The girl's going to do all right.
Now, on this last leg of high school, while said kid studies hard, applies for colleges, and begins collecting (not packing yet, though) the things she'll need for that anticipated college dorm, I wonder, what great wisdom can we bestow as she prepares to spread her wings and hop from the family nest. I've collected a cache of mommy-isms over the years; things I hoped would reflect our values and help her show up in the world with confidence, but also with kindness.
Choose friends who make you feel good about yourself.
It's easier to break things than it is to fix them.
There's always enough for everybody.
Two wrongs don't make a right.
All you can do is ask and the other person has a choice; they can say yes or no. (And that's okay.)
You are a leader in exactly who you are. (And who you are is enough.)
Perfect is good but done is better.
Sometimes you know it for yourself and that's enough.*
* (Note: I distinctly remember learning this one from my own grandmother. We were parked in a minivan in front of the Flamingo hotel in Las Vegas just after the Christmas holiday. Maybe it was even on December 28. I had been complaining about how scary/horrible/awful her Husband #4's driving was while he checked us into the hotel. I was a sophomore in college. My grandmother turned her head and said out of the side of her mouth, "Sometimes you know it for yourself and that's enough." This made no sense to me. If you know it, and you believe it to be true - and I really did think his driving had deteriorated to downright scary - shouldn't a person say something? It was probably the closest thing my grandmother had ever come to scolding me and I never forgot it. I never understood it, but I never forgot it. Then I had my own children and one day, especially with The Oldest, this little kernel of wisdom popped out of my mouth and it completely made sense.)
Don't let your fear eat you.
Dream big.
A parent can only hope some of this stuff sticks, but honestly it's best to expect it to go in one ear and out the other. Or better yet, have no expectations at all.
And then one day the craziest thing happens. The kid says to her (whiny) younger siblings, "Choose friends who make you feel good about yourself. There's always enough for everybody. Two wrongs don't make a right."
And, "Guys, listen to your mother."
I grin, partially in amazement and partially in relief.
The girl's going to do all right.
On This Day
Historic Highlights (credits)
2007 - Nepal abolishes monarchy
The amendment to the Nepalese constitution that declared the country a federal republic was passed by the parliament. The transition was completed on May 28, 2008. Established in 1768 by Prithvi Narayan Shah, the Kingdom of Nepal lasted for over 200 years. Nepal is the world's only country with Hinduism as the state religion.
1972 - Kim Il Sung becomes first president of North Korea
Kim Il-sung became the first and only president of South Korea under an amended constitution. He was elected to the post by the members of the North Korean parliament, which is also known as the Supreme People's Assembly. The post was abolished in 1998, and Kim II-sung was given the title of Eternal President of Korea.
1968 - Israel raid on Beirut Airport
The Israeli Defence Forces mounted a special operation, also known as Operation Gift, on Beirut Airport. The raid was in retaliation to the attack on El Al Flight 253, which was en route from Tel Aviv to New York. During its layover in Athens, Greece, two Palestinians fired at passengers and crew and killed 1 person. In retaliation, Israel destroyed several passenger and cargo planes parked at Beirut Airport. There were no fatalities during the raid.
1885 - Indian National Congress founded
The party is one of the two main political parties in India. Created by the members of the Theosophical Society, the party was a major player in India's independence movement against the British. After Independence, the first Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru belonged to the INC.
1836 - South Australia becomes a British colony
The central southern state of Australia was first established as a province in 1834 by the British Parliament under the South Australia Act. The day was observed as Proclamation Day in the state, which was later turned into an extra holiday after Christmas Day.
The amendment to the Nepalese constitution that declared the country a federal republic was passed by the parliament. The transition was completed on May 28, 2008. Established in 1768 by Prithvi Narayan Shah, the Kingdom of Nepal lasted for over 200 years. Nepal is the world's only country with Hinduism as the state religion.
1972 - Kim Il Sung becomes first president of North Korea
Kim Il-sung became the first and only president of South Korea under an amended constitution. He was elected to the post by the members of the North Korean parliament, which is also known as the Supreme People's Assembly. The post was abolished in 1998, and Kim II-sung was given the title of Eternal President of Korea.
1968 - Israel raid on Beirut Airport
The Israeli Defence Forces mounted a special operation, also known as Operation Gift, on Beirut Airport. The raid was in retaliation to the attack on El Al Flight 253, which was en route from Tel Aviv to New York. During its layover in Athens, Greece, two Palestinians fired at passengers and crew and killed 1 person. In retaliation, Israel destroyed several passenger and cargo planes parked at Beirut Airport. There were no fatalities during the raid.
1885 - Indian National Congress founded
The party is one of the two main political parties in India. Created by the members of the Theosophical Society, the party was a major player in India's independence movement against the British. After Independence, the first Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru belonged to the INC.
1836 - South Australia becomes a British colony
The central southern state of Australia was first established as a province in 1834 by the British Parliament under the South Australia Act. The day was observed as Proclamation Day in the state, which was later turned into an extra holiday after Christmas Day.
Happy Birthday to You!🎶
1962 - Michel Petrucciani, French/American pianist
1934 - Maggie Smith, English actress
1903 - John von Neumann, Hungarian/American mathematician
1903 - Earl Hines, American pianist
1856 - Woodrow Wilson, American politician, 28th President of the United States, Nobel Prize laureate
1934 - Maggie Smith, English actress
1903 - John von Neumann, Hungarian/American mathematician
1903 - Earl Hines, American pianist
1856 - Woodrow Wilson, American politician, 28th President of the United States, Nobel Prize laureate
Remembering You
2015 - Lemmy, English singer-songwriter, bass player, actor
2004 - Susan Sontag, American author
1984 - Sam Peckinpah, American director, screenwriter
1959 - Ante Pavelić, Croatian politician
1937 - Maurice Ravel, French composer
2004 - Susan Sontag, American author
1984 - Sam Peckinpah, American director, screenwriter
1959 - Ante Pavelić, Croatian politician
1937 - Maurice Ravel, French composer
Share your hard-earned wisdom, eat cake and make it a great Saturday!
Kim
During my high school commencement speech, this gem came to mind and so I passed it on to the congregation assembled there should anyone really be listening, hedging against the possibility I'd remember it at the very end at which point it not make any sense and I'd have to explain it: "A wet bird never flies at night." Similar to having to explain a joke you've just told, you're left holding a single limp wet black sock with no one around to smack it against. I know your pain, Grasshopper, I know your pain. Stay the course. Ask a smarter person for help if absolutely necessary, even if they are several decades younger than you.
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday Oldest!
Paper burns
ReplyDeleteand so does wood.
Stone breaks.
Ephemeral mostly,
Words
Passed from memory to mind.
Our only warmth and light
Against the cold and dark.