America

Hi Frank,
As you know, I keep trying to get older but it’s just not working. Each time I think I’ll stay home, someone, usually one of my children, asks me to do something too fun to skip.

Today, I was busily working with a friend, Willie, who helps me with every home project I come up with. We were grubbily scrubbing porches and fixing the sprinklers when my daughter, Bess, had the audacity to ask me to set that aside, hurry up, get done up and across town to a little party they were having for a young lady who is graduating high school.

I grabbed the necklace that had once been a gift to Bess at her own graduation, (so it’d be something meaningful to this young lady) polished it, found the gift bag and off I went to the party.

I was talking to America (that’s the graduate’s name) about what she’s doing next after this momentous occasion in her life. She said she wants to try lots of stuff. Bravo!! We talked about how there are people who don’t try their hand at many things, believing they aren’t capable, aren’t gifted, don’t have what it takes.

But, if there was anything I could say, any encouragement I could pass on to this young lady, it was to tell her how equipped she is. Already. Yes, she has work to do, but she’s already infused with such a good brain, a sense of responsibility, diligence, a desire to try things, and a bucket full of talents and abilities. They were poured into her when she was formed. All she needs to do is get after the work of uncovering, discovering and developing them.

She, with her happy bright eyes, looked at me, nodded, and said that she’s a little scared. She’s the first person in her family to continue to pursue an education after high school. She wants to be a good role model to her two sisters and her brother, all younger and looking up to her, watching her do this great thing and dreaming of how they’ll do the same.

As trite as it may seem, I believe it’s primarily about having faith and trying. That’s the method that had been going on in my house years ago when Bess and David were graduating high school. It was so much fun to watch. Bess, the eldest, was preparing to fly off to her next chapter in life, and she discussed her dreams, talked about how to reach them, checked things out, made a plan, then stepped out and tried. David came next, inspired and ready to take that leap himself. It was a special thing to see — these two siblings in action.

Once you do step forward, (that’s important) do your homework, then watch for them — those doors– and they will open. Yup. They’ll always open. I believe this. They may not be the doors you expected, but nevertheless, they’ll be there, open, waiting for you to choose, to make a good choice, waiting for you to step through to something new.

The way I see it is this. Our world is here for us but it’s not going to do anything more than provide the stage and the props. We are the actors. We are the ones who can make the story happen and it’s when we step out, speak up, work hard, think clearly, and (most importantly) act, that our life, our story, begins to move and grow.

An important difference is that this is real life, not a stage, so all the challenges, failures and successes are felt at our core and will have consequences. How we react will take us to the next challenge, the next set of doors. Decisions, decisions.

So, back to what America and I started with. We had begun with the idea that we are fully equipped. She has the ingredients: the character, the traits, the talents and gifts, the mind and heart and body that altogether make her who she is and will guide her to what will be the most fulfilling for her.

No, this isn’t Pollyanna talking. It’s true. “Life has a way of turning out, America,” I say as I hum an old favorite “His Eye Is On the Sparrow”.

Yes, sometimes things can go up in flames, but if you’ll wait a second and let the smoke clear, you’ll see past the rubble to a path that leads out. Check it out, listen, give it thought, make your best decision, then step out with faith through the door ahead. Move on to the next great possibilities. It’s really pretty exciting, if you ask me.

That’s what happened today. Fortunately, I accepted the invitation, got “done up” and in my car, went to celebrate with a girl named America, and learned about her dreams. Even though she’s anxious, she’s going places (fully equipped). This was a good day and I feel so inspired. Don’t you, Frank?

?
Jane