I saw an interesting story on the news today about a kid from the town of Bagdad, Florida (yes, there really is such a place!) who won the 2012 masters golf tournament. The most interesting part to me wasn't so much that he was from a tiny town with no more than a gas station and a few houses, but when he was asked how he did it he gave so much credit to his mom. He claimed that his mom worked two jobs while he was in high school in order to pay for all of his golf equipment so that he could play on his school team. He never had any formal lessons, but he did have some amazing encouragement from his parents.
That story reminded me of how my dad was when I was little. When I was 6 years old he noticed how much I liked to draw pictures and make up stories to go with them. He bought me a hard cover journal where I could draw my pictures and he would then write the stories for me next to my pictures. Not only that but even to this day my dad's encouragement and money he's spent over the years in buying me art supplies is the reason I stay home and draw and paint pictures for a living today.
In school I didn't have a lot of confidence in myself. I was very shy, withdrawn, and insecure. Fortunately I've grown into a very confident person. Most of the credit goes to my parents, and all of the other adults that helped raise me (including teachers, grandparents, aunts, and uncles.. I believe every adult who is in a child's life has a hand in raising them), and of course to my awesome hair! (thanks to God and BJ Barre' at Southern Charm Hair Studio)
My daughter, Angel, started showing an interest in art at the age of two. I have several of her art works framed and hanging in my home. The biggest thing I've noticed, however, is her ability to tell a story. She is 6 now and has written several stories that we've illustrated together. They are stories she has written for her baby sister, Abigail. It's my goal to keep her confident in herself and let her express her imagination as much as possible so that she knows she can do and be anything.
My youngest daughter, Abigail, is only 18 months old, but she already loves to "sing" along when music is playing. She loves to play my mom's piano, and my dad's bamboo flutes. She will turn anything into a drum and can already find the beat to any song. That's why we have her very first set of bongo drums hidden in our closet. We are planning on giving them to her when she turns two.
Will my heart be broken if Angel grows up to become a successful employee of McDonald's instead of an artist or a writer, or if Abigail grows up and is successful a stay at home mom rather than a musician? Of course not! I say successful because I know that no matter what they become when they grow up they will be successful! The only thing that would hurt my feelings would be if I didn't do everything in my power to encourage them and shape them now to show them their full potential.
That story reminded me of how my dad was when I was little. When I was 6 years old he noticed how much I liked to draw pictures and make up stories to go with them. He bought me a hard cover journal where I could draw my pictures and he would then write the stories for me next to my pictures. Not only that but even to this day my dad's encouragement and money he's spent over the years in buying me art supplies is the reason I stay home and draw and paint pictures for a living today.
In school I didn't have a lot of confidence in myself. I was very shy, withdrawn, and insecure. Fortunately I've grown into a very confident person. Most of the credit goes to my parents, and all of the other adults that helped raise me (including teachers, grandparents, aunts, and uncles.. I believe every adult who is in a child's life has a hand in raising them), and of course to my awesome hair! (thanks to God and BJ Barre' at Southern Charm Hair Studio)
My daughter, Angel, started showing an interest in art at the age of two. I have several of her art works framed and hanging in my home. The biggest thing I've noticed, however, is her ability to tell a story. She is 6 now and has written several stories that we've illustrated together. They are stories she has written for her baby sister, Abigail. It's my goal to keep her confident in herself and let her express her imagination as much as possible so that she knows she can do and be anything.
My youngest daughter, Abigail, is only 18 months old, but she already loves to "sing" along when music is playing. She loves to play my mom's piano, and my dad's bamboo flutes. She will turn anything into a drum and can already find the beat to any song. That's why we have her very first set of bongo drums hidden in our closet. We are planning on giving them to her when she turns two.
Will my heart be broken if Angel grows up to become a successful employee of McDonald's instead of an artist or a writer, or if Abigail grows up and is successful a stay at home mom rather than a musician? Of course not! I say successful because I know that no matter what they become when they grow up they will be successful! The only thing that would hurt my feelings would be if I didn't do everything in my power to encourage them and shape them now to show them their full potential.
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