When I Grow Up

I got an awesome email from a former student (a current senior) today thanking me and letting me know that she got into her #1 college choice...woohoo!

I've also been hit with a deluge of current and past students stopping in to get my advice on course selection for next year. We talk about goals after high school and potential college majors and just about any other possible consideration for determining the rest of their damn lives when they're only 16 or 17 years old. And while it's both flattering and frightening that they seek my input, I feel a bit like a fraud. See, while I talk through the choices with my amazing students (they are the greatest joy in my job), I come to realize: I'm still not entirely sure what I want to be when (if?) I grow up.

I really do love my job (most days). I really do love my family and friends (all of the days). But I still wonder: what more can I do, what more can I be? And I've decided...I want to be Grace, my 3-year old.

Hear me out, okay? I don't actually want to be her literally (me as a mother? *shudder*). But I want to be like her. Grace is vibrant and joyful and ready for anything life tosses her way. For instance? Sidewalk sledding. She wanted nothing more than to fly down our snow-covered walkways, nary a doubt in her mind at the authenticity of the venture.

She creates joy and excitement in the most mundane activities (despite our Lab's reluctance).

And even if it's just bopping through the living room, she knows she's a rock star every minute of every day. Yes, that is a dog-shaped guitar on which she's jamming.

My greatest accomplishment on a given day? Making myself a pseudo-homemade dinner...with extra dipping sauces...nomnomnom...

So students are planning how they'll rule the world and Grace is kicking ass on every (large or small) challenge she faces in her toddler life and I? Well, I revel in the joy of a simple dinner...or a brave & bold toddler who's yet to learn about fear...or the teenagers who don't know (but I do!) that they really will rule the world (so much better than my generation has managed). And until they do? I'll keep planning what exactly I want to do when I grow up.

Dream big, sweethearts. 😉