A Glimmer of Light

I almost fell out of my chair last night.

For the last several years, my son has been lazy and uninterested when it comes to his school work. The kid is bright and intelligent, but he kinda skipped out on life for awhile. Life was a bit hard and he struggled in many areas. A glimmer of light began to show through toward the end of school last year.

I had high hopes for this year.

So far it has sounded like things have gone pretty well. He's mentioned a couple of geometry tests he's aced, interesting topics in modern world history, and other interesting components in his classes.

All sounds well - but I was still feeling a bit keyed up and nervous. I didn't want to look at his grades online and once again feel so at a loss for how to help him or what to do or angry that he was squandering the incredible talent God had given him.

Last night I knew I couldn't put it off any longer. We're getting close to mid-semester and if he was faltering in any classes, he'd still have time to turn things around if I got ahold of him soon enough. What was the picture going to look like? I was dreading another confrontation.

When the grades screen popped up, I was so pleasantly pleased. A's and B's. We're not just talking he's barely squeaking by either - these are solid grades in the mid to upper ranges. He's acing geometry and biology, among others. Wow! My buttons just about popped off my blouse.

This morning I told him I'd checked his grades. He didn't even look scared or like he was about to get verbally creamed. He already knew he was doing good just by the daily work accomplishments. My son even mentioned how it all seems to be sinking in and he's able to recall most of it.

I told him he should be very proud of himself. I know I am. Just hope it lasts.

I have a feeling that this time it just might. That is if my son has anything to do with it.

Risk

I'm taking a break to start my blog entry. We're watching a movie about the life and rise of fashion designer, Coco Chanel.

Did you know her name was Gabrielle? She obtained her nickname "Coco" from a little French song. Of course this being a movie, it is hard to know where artistic license has been taken and reality collide. However, that part had a rather authentic ring to it. Maybe I'll research it later. I love researching subjects that entice and intrigue me.

One thing they are focusing on at present is the aspect of the free-spiritedness she possessed - of being unwilling to be a mere ornament fashioned of the same fabric as the rest of society. There is a line in her latter years that resonates in my soul - strength is not built by ones successes but by ones failures. How true that is.

She leaves comfort to pursue her dreams. She is unwilling to decline risk even after she is highly successful. In fact, one of her statements is "risk is what life is all about". Even in her 70's she continued to risk obsolesence because she still retained a vision.

I wish I could be more like that. At one time in my life I was a similar free-spirit - uncontained and untamed. Now I seem to do what is expected because I have responsibilities. Don't get me wrong, recognizing and living up to ones responsibilities is very important - something our society would do better to remember more often. But there is a part of me that desires to take a risk to do something more.

And in time I just may do so.