Yes
Last October, CNN declared that women would become the “saviors of the global economy” and the Dalai Lama prophesized that “the world will be saved by the Western woman.”
This quote allowed me to finally capture what I felt when daughter Jessica graduated this Spring from the College of Charleston.
The journey through life is not easy for most of us. There are always challenges and children face their own lessons and learn from experience just as humans have been doing for eons. What is newly minted in the human equation is that we are learning to foster confidence and myriad intelligences as we begin to understand that our children have “come to teach us,” a society in need of awakening.
You know children like Jess. She spoke in full sentences by the time she was 10 months old – - in third person, “Jessica wants that dwess.” I realize you might judge me, her mother for that one. ”Jessica wants waffles,” or ”Jessica likes that. “ I was 34 as a first time mom so what did I know? She didn’t crawl, because she moved backwards when she tried, so she just stood up at 10 months and started running one day. She hasn’t stopped since.
She could cite colors when she was a year old and the pediatrician marked her one year report as a child prodigy… someone to watch. So when she struggled to read as a first grader and to spell as a third grader, we sought help. Testing gave us the results that she had a learning disability. She was so smart, it was masked by her verbal skills. I found her weeping one night in the first quarter of 4th grade, “I want to be with the smart kids.” And my heart sank. She was “one” of the smart kids… one of the smartest a pediatrician had ever seen. What was missing was a diagnosis of dyslexia. Once she was aware of what she needed to handle differently she thrived and excelled. But without the additional testing and the results and the meetings with teachers and guidance counselors, she may have lost interest in school and we may have lost her as a potential leader.
When she walked across the stage, she did so as a hero in our eyes and those of our extended friends and family. She was a leader at the College of Charleston - president of the Student Alumni Associates, a representative of the college for Leadership Charleston, a student with international credits having studied in India last summer. As we waited and watched others receive their degrees, I wondered about their stories. What challenges did they face? What sports coach recognized their abilities and nurtured those, or which one didn’t? Who mentored them? Who saw potential and fostered it? What teacher placed a troll on their desk to send all worries to while taking tests? Who helped them tap into their creative genius? Who compelled them to dance or to debate a point of view?
And I also wondered, “how many brilliant kids do we lose in educational processes because they haven’t had a champion to help them understand their needs or their given talents? When will we add new intelligences, such as emotional intelligence (EQ) to those required for academic success?”
There were only four tickets to her graduation so our celebration was intimate. But there were many who sat with us in spirit this Spring day. Her friend Beaux was there… a
Party on the Osprey with Beaux
champion and travel companion who sees her brilliance. Her high school and lifelong friend Tucker graduated the same weekend from UNC – CH and would say she influenced his vote in the last presidential election as she vigorously campaigned for someone she believed in. The Honorable Kristin Ruth, a family friend would smile at the mention of her name and say that “Jess gives us hope that the world is becoming a better place due to leadership of strong young women who are committed to a cause – and hers is to leave the world better by changing and impacting a social cause, especially related to non-profit and education.” BFF Lauren would say, “Let’s Dance!” and remind her to laugh a belly laugh daily as she tries new things…
BFFs
AND to only give her attention to those friends who are worthy… to spend time with those who are not looking beyond her, but who make her feel special and loved.
It occured to me as we danced and laughed and celebrated and toasted this amazing young woman that I am happy and privileged to know her regardless the fact that she is my daughter.
She, and many of her friends who graduated this year, give me hope. They inspire the best in me and the best in others. They are truly global in their view of the world and their desire to see and connect with other cultures.
A Toast from the Crow's Nest
So as we all work to understand more, to love more, to become more, I hope you will find inspiration in those who are becoming new leaders, those with a desire to become global citizens and seek knowledge from many sources.
My coaching challenge to all who read this is that you foster this intention of Jessica’s to change the face of education and to promote a new world view.
