Truth
My youngest child absolutely hates small talk. Don't you dare ask him how his day at school went or how he did at practice. To him, that kind of information is pointless chatter and he doesn't want to have anything to do with it.
I have learned to simply say "hello" upon picking him up from school, practice or a social event and then wait. If he has something to share, the quiet of the moment gives him space to talk. If he doesn't have anything to share, he doesn't.
A few nights ago when I picked him up from wrestling practice, he talked the entire way home. For once, I was wishing the drive from school to our house was just a bit longer. The highlights of his night were words of encouragement and praise from his coach. Although his W-L record is quite awful, he has worked really hard and grown a lot this season both in this skills on the mat and his sportsmanship. Though he didn't say it, he was proud of himself as he saw his current season and his wrestling future through the eyes of his coach.
Less than a week later Gabe took two really hard losses at a dual. He held his composure on the mat, but as soon as he and I left the gym his frustration, sadness and feeling of worthlessness came pouring out.
I searched for the right words to share with him, something that wouldn't fall flat or be cliche.
The coach's words of truth that brought Gabe such encouragement and hope just two days before are no less true after the loss. I talked to him about that, about how the things that coach was applauding just days before were still characteristics that Gabe possessed. His work ethic, his support of his team, and his fight to improve himself doesn't change after two losses. These are words that apply to myself and you just the same. You are a loving mother or father on the good days and bad. You are a valuable teacher whether the students are receptive or not. You are gifted and talented on the days that your creations are flops or masterpieces. You are chosen, even when you don't feel like it.
The truth of yesterday is the same truth of today, no matter what happened in between.
Unless of course, you were not pregnant and then became pregnant, or free and then a murderer or something like that, but all of those types of things aside I think this little nugget rings true.
I have learned to simply say "hello" upon picking him up from school, practice or a social event and then wait. If he has something to share, the quiet of the moment gives him space to talk. If he doesn't have anything to share, he doesn't.
A few nights ago when I picked him up from wrestling practice, he talked the entire way home. For once, I was wishing the drive from school to our house was just a bit longer. The highlights of his night were words of encouragement and praise from his coach. Although his W-L record is quite awful, he has worked really hard and grown a lot this season both in this skills on the mat and his sportsmanship. Though he didn't say it, he was proud of himself as he saw his current season and his wrestling future through the eyes of his coach.
Less than a week later Gabe took two really hard losses at a dual. He held his composure on the mat, but as soon as he and I left the gym his frustration, sadness and feeling of worthlessness came pouring out.
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| Moments before he got pinned. |
the truth of two days ago is still the truth of today
The coach's words of truth that brought Gabe such encouragement and hope just two days before are no less true after the loss. I talked to him about that, about how the things that coach was applauding just days before were still characteristics that Gabe possessed. His work ethic, his support of his team, and his fight to improve himself doesn't change after two losses. These are words that apply to myself and you just the same. You are a loving mother or father on the good days and bad. You are a valuable teacher whether the students are receptive or not. You are gifted and talented on the days that your creations are flops or masterpieces. You are chosen, even when you don't feel like it.
The truth of yesterday is the same truth of today, no matter what happened in between.
Unless of course, you were not pregnant and then became pregnant, or free and then a murderer or something like that, but all of those types of things aside I think this little nugget rings true.
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