Follow The Passion

"While we try to teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is all about."-Angela Schwindt

Last night I had a conversation with my son. He was indulging me by listening to small details that I was sharing with him. On most days he is rushed. He is living a busy life of a third year medical student. The other day he was on call at the hospital for thirty hours straight . After our conversation my thoughts drifted to the past, my little boy so proud to give me a Lego heart that he built for me. It wasn't on Valentine's Day it was a regular day. He was always affectionate and attentive. I remember when I went to visit him at Duke University where he was an undergrad we were at the Nasher Museum of Art at Duke. After we went through the exhibits we strolled through the museum store. There was a paperweight that said, "If you can imagine it, you can achieve it. If you can dream it, you can become it." Josh said, "that's cool". I agreed and I wanted to purchase it for him. He declined stating that he doesn't need it. Months later I remembered the quotation which later I found out to be a quote of William Arthur Ward. I called up the museum and I ordered the paperweight for Josh. I remember when I gave it to him, he was surprised and delighted that I remembered. " I always remember and take notice of what you say", I announced proudly. Last night I had to remind myself that I always told him to follow his passion. I feel left behind because he doesn't have the time to give me. But this is what we want for our children, we want them to live their life fully and to be whole. Some days it's harder to accept that they are grown and no longer need us for guidance. Some days there's a void even thought there is always gratitude that they are living their dream.