Someone I Admire

Depression can make you think that nothing you do matters.  If you’re a mom or a caretaker of children, you think you’re closer to Peg Bundy than Donna Reed.  The funny thing is that when we’re down, we concentrate on what we don’t do.  What we don’t realize is that the things that the children in our lives love and remember about us are not the fabulous trips to Disney World or big flashy Christmas presents or even cake you made to look like a life-size Darth Vadar.

Yes, this is a real cake. And she let people eat it after all that?

Children remember the little things you do, things you probably don’t even realize you are doing.  Things that make you “you”, the very you you’re probably putting down right now.  I discovered this when I read my daughter’s fourth grade paper “Someone I Admire.”  That’s right, incredibly that someone was me, but I was humble enough not to rub it in her father’s face, at least not after the first day or so.  I present this paper to you, unedited except for spelling and clarity (all those big words are hers), not to brag on myself (though that’s fun too) but to show you that children look at you in ways you probably ought to look at yourself.

Responding to the prompt “Someone I Admire”:

“Hey!  So you wanna know who I admire?  Well, I admire my mom and here is why.”

My mom is extremely smart.  She was a teacher for a while and then she decided to be a librarian.  She was a marvelous student.  Sometimes a teacher’s pet.  Soon she got her diploma in Language Arts from high school then she headed off to college.  She had to take a school on the computer to get a degree so she could be a librarian.  Now she is a librarian at (the university).

My mom is super fun!  She likes the things I like and loves to hang out with me.  Whenever we are done getting ready in the morning she would show me and my sister something hilarious on You Tube.  She would play Life with me and name her fake kids Ketchup and Mustard.  Sometimes she lets me play one of her computer games.  She would even play video games with us.

My mom is immensely kind.  She never gives me and my sister spankings.  When I am down, my mom comforts me.  My mom makes friends with everyone.  She will be there to help if me or my sister has fallen down.  My mom will always be there for me no matter what.

I wandered into the living room to see my mom.  I plopped on the couch right next to her.  I saw my mom looking very extraordinary with her hair in a bun.  I smiled and her and she smiled at me.  I love my mom and she loves me.  That is why I look up to her. 

By Thing One

This paper made me cry, because I had no idea she had ever noticed the things she points out in this paper.  Watching You Tube videos?  I never thought of that as a great parenting move, especially since you’re not always sure what you’re going to get on that site.  Nor did I think about playing games with them.  I’m just immature and I like playing games.  I also like playing with them because they are hilarious and incredible little people.  I often think I want to be like them when I grow up.

Apparently, though, I already am exactly what they want.  And it’s hard to be depressed about that.

© Alice and A Canvas Of The Minds 2012. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Alice and A Canvas Of The Minds with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

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