For Joel Ferris, gratitude looks like his three kids.
I am thankful for 20+ years of parenthood. Three smart, clever, creative, self aware children. The time I’ve spent watching them succeed despite having us for parents!
Realizing that their success is actually a direct result of having us for parents. They have always known that we have no expectations for them to be Valedictorian, Salutatorian, Class President or captain of any team. We only expect them to take what they are given and do their very best with it. Time and time again, they fail to disappoint.
I am proud of THEM for being who they are; three distinct personalities, three well-rounded people. Parenthood, at least in my case, is a team effort. In order for my children to really get where mom and dad are coming from, we made a conscious decision to hold nothing back from our kids. When things are going bad, we talk about it and invite their input. And they know that they can say anything to us. ANYTHING. Believe me, they’ve come to us with some doozies (did I spell that correctly?)
The job I’ve done keeping them alive has been a perpetual learning experience.
Eli (cartoonist, jazz fan and symphony aficionado) is now 20. He has introduced me to composers I’d never even heard of.
Aislinn, 16 in December, enjoys doing homework. She’s a burgeoning photographer too, but the homework thing is really the jaw dropper. She’s the real deal.
Leo is 8, and has a whole lifetime of bumps and bruises ahead of him. But he is kind and smart and eager to amaze.
All three have minds like bear traps, a discerning wit, and wisdom beyond their years. They’re gonna do incredible things.
I am thankful for having these three people in my life.
Photo: Flickr/Christian Haugen