"I've heard it said
That people come into our lives for a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led
To those who help us most to grow
If we let them
And we help them in return"
I have always believed that people come in and out of our lives for a reason; that they are there to teach us what it is we need to know at that moment in time.
As adults, it is our belief that it is up to us to do all of the teaching, and our children to do all of the learning. After all, we are older and wiser, and have far more to share. What could a child, new to this world, possibly teach us? I can honestly say I've never subscribed to that philosophy because I believe that everyone who walks through my life, young or old, is there for a purpose, whether they are there to teach me something concrete or abstract, they are still there to teach me something. I look at the experiences I have encountered throughout my life, in very much the same way; all opportunities for learning. This adventure proved to be no exception. The lessons I learned from my child were invaluable and very much needed at this moment of my life.
Without a doubt, my son and I are both taking away from this trip far more than what we brought in to it. My greatest lesson learned was that I saw my son in a totally different light. I saw him focused and dedicated to learning all the he could about his craft, while displaying a level of independence, maturity and self-confidence that I had never seen before. His happiness at being able to do what he loved, was palpable. It reinforced my commitment to make sure that my son chooses to do in life what makes him happy, and not base his choices on what others might expect of him.
I hope my son is taking away from this trip, a lesson equally as important; that his mother actually knows how to "chill out". By seeing me in a laid back setting, blissfully ignorant of the daily stresses of a life 200 miles away and eager to live life in the moment, he saw a very different me. So often our days are filled with one "to do list" after another, that finding time to just sit with our children and smell the flowers is near impossible. Oftentimes the sounds of daily life can be deafening and don't allow us to actually hear what it is our children are trying to tell us. No wonder they don't like us! But on this trip I was able to see and hear everything. It was such a gift and one I will treasure forever.
On another note, we decided to forgo the Shakespeare in the Park tickets. It is Bo's last day of class, and he wanted to spend the evening in the company of his new found friends, before they all scatter back to their respective homes. I don't blame him. Tomorrow is the shoot for Celebrity Ghost Stories. It sounds like it is going to be a tremendous learning experience for him. :-)
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