In light of all the insanity, sturm and drang and what may be the end of everything, I want to shine a light on all that is good. Elder hit the quarter century mark over the weekend, much to his own surprise; adventures with his family ensued, culminating with an Eagles Superbowl win. He couldn’t ask for more than that.
The other big thing that happened last week was that he was finally named Employee of the Month. Roughly eight years in the making, he actively sought and received feedback from his peers and supervisors to help him improve his skills. But more than this, he has been persistent enough, and fortunate enough, to have his supervisors and coworkers in his corner these last nine years to support, coach, and encourage him. When we parents were taught all about the importance of natural supports, the love and support of people in the workplace, this was treated as an aspirational, if not achievable thing. After all, this means people taking extra time and energy to support, coach, and encourage, and as many people living this particular dream can attest, it is freaking HARD to find this kind of environment, unless people intentionally create and nurture it.
Once upon a time, my teenager knew exactly what he wanted to do: work the front desk checking people in at his favorite place. Although he was offered jobs in housekeeping and childcare, he persisted. He knew what he wanted, and he wouldn’t settle for less. He took the volunteer position doing what he wanted to do, and proved himself worthy of paid employment. And while there have been stumbles and false starts in this world of work, he continues to learn and grow and make his mark.
Meanwhile, my younger guy, Mr Huggable, stopped me last night and hugged me a long time. If I wondered whether the bigger picture was impacting him, that was my confirmation.
Whatever happens, I know we gave them the best lives possible. We controlled the things we had control over. The rest now is up to whatever the future holds.
