Reflections From The Kitchen Sink on Finding Your Passion
Passion by Melinda Campbell
“I want you to find your passion,” I said to my son as he prepared for his high school graduation.
“Well, your passion as long as it can pay your bills and support your future family,” I added.
“Well, passion that allows you to support your home with your priorities straight—you know, church, home, then the extras,” I continued.
“Well, that, and realize you don’t need a lot of stuff to be happy.”
“Don’t put yourself in a bind thinking possessions will ever bring you joy.”
“You know, the only way to truly be happy…”
He cut me off there.
“I get it, Mom. I know. “
I felt the urge to continue my exhortation when it hit me: he’s either seen it and learned it from me, or he hasn’t.
KA-POW! The reality slap. One as dramatic as a punch from the old-school Batman in the tv series from the 60’s. (Before you get snarky, I saw re-runs, okay?)
People can talk to us all day long, but observing behaviors speaks with more clarity and resolve.
Want an honest kid? Live honestly.
Want a hard-working kid? Work hard.
Want a kid who demonstrates gratitude? Be thankful.
Every kiddo will have moments of “duh” and act counter to his or her raising. The world takes its jabs and has its influence, too. Our jobs as parents though center in keeping the core visible. From the times of greatest happiness and victories to the lowest moments of disappointment and grief, how we respond matters.
…and here we go again…WHAM! (Insert awesome horns and a keyboard slam for impact!)
We mess up. Well, I know I do.
I am not Mary Poppins. Half the time I can’t even find an umbrella when it’s raining. The key is acknowledging the rain and maneuvering the subsequent puddles.
I have often acknowledged moments I call “loser mom” ones, and I have one more than one occasion said to my kids, “You disappointed me with your actions, but that doesn’t excuse my response.”
We teach through the good. We teach through the challenging. We are always teaching.
I was told when Colin was born that before I could blink he would be grown. It happened.
Outside of reminding him his actions reflect his church and his home and occasionally buying him his favorite flavor of Pop Tarts, my influence is waning…he is going to be who he is going to be.
The younger one, I’ve got a couple days left to work his Play Doh, and I’ve realized a couple things about that lately, too; however, that chat will have to be another day. This sink is full, and my coffee cup is empty.
I may take just another minute or two, and sprinkle some sugar in my next cup. I usually don’t do that, but perhaps, the sugar will help the medicine of my big boy actually being big go down in a most delightful way. A mom’s got to do what a mom’s got to do. I may need to find that umbrella as well!
Until next time…
Bio: Melinda Campbell is a retired educator who currently focuses her efforts on raising her two teenaged boys, advocating for individuals with special needs and against drunk driving, and serving in her local community. Melinda has been gaining recognition for her writings labeled “Reflections from my Kitchen Sink” since the tragic death of her husband Michael in 2015. In her stories, she shares observations from her daily life including moments she has as a solo parent, a widow, and a woman who battles significant health issues including fibromyalgia and depression. Her goal is to encourage others through the experiences that are common to so many. Her practical approach to life’s obstacles has become a weekly mainstay for her readers from across the country.
