I remember my mother telling me as a very young child of 3 that I could grow up to be anything I wanted to be. She said all I had to do was put my mind to it and try real hard and I would achieve it and become it. I thought about those words long and hard. I was so young and impressionable and I felt that I now had the weight of the world on my shoulders. What a momentous decision! I could be anything! I could be president of the United States...or an astronaut...or a rock star or...well...ANYTHING! It was mind boggling. My three year old brain almost caught on fire because the wheels were turning so hard in my head I couldnt see straight. I remember going and sitting in my favorite thinking place...which was in my closet under the hanging clothes. I shut the door almost all the way (but not entirely, because i was afraid of the dark) so that there was just a sliver of light coming in...just enough to see by. I sat with my legs crossed and my elbows on my knees and my head in my hands just thinking of all the possibilities. My little brow was furrowed and my eyes were mere slits as I concentrated and tried to sort it all out. What had Mom done? Did she not realize what an enormous amount of pressure she had put on me? I had to be careful! I had to think this out! i had to make the right choice! So I sat there...for what seemed like hours, but was probably about fifteen minutes, thinking...running the numbers in my brain...asking myself all the important questions like: What job would allow me to watch cartoons anytime i wanted? Which job would help people? Which one would let me have all the candy I wanted? Which one would be so fun I would love it always? Which career path would take me to riches and glory? I thought and thought and then thought some more. Finally, just as I was about to fall asleep from exhaustion right there under my church pants...it hit me. I figured it out! It was the perfect solution! I got up excitedly and ran to where my mother was sitting on the couch reading a western novel and I said: OK, mother...I have made my decision. She looked at me quizzically, as I am sure she had already forgotten what our last conversation had been about. I kept on. I have decided what I want to be when I grow up. OH! She said. Well lets hear it. What did you decide on. I smiled brightly, and looked her dead in the eye and with the most serious and earnest face that only a three year old could possibly make, I said: Im going to be Superman, because he can do anything he wants but chooses to help people...and he has a pretty girlfriend. After blurting it out, even for a three year old, it sounded kinda funny to me...but I studied my moms face intently, waiting for her to have her say. She was a very kind and smart woman and without laughing or even showing that she was cracking up inside, she said: Well thats certainly a good choice. Who knows what you can do if you put your mind to it. But remember, when you become Superman, you have to build me a big house up in the mountains...and of course you will have to come and check on me from time to time and make sure I have plenty to eat and lots of books to read. I solemnly swore i would, but I assured her she had nothing to worry about because i intended to still be living with her anyway. Satisfied that my future career path was set, I went back to my playing and decided to let nature take its course. I suppose I eventually forgot about it...but today, as I was walking through the woods with my daughter, i remembered that day so long ago. It brought a smile to my face and warmed my heart. So, my friends, I have decided to go buy myself a red cape tomorrow and test my flying abilities. (Dont worry, i am just going to jump off the sofa until I get the hang of it.) And soon you will see me flying around the city. I guess theres nothing wrong with a fat, middle aged Superman is there? I just have to be careful when I pick out my tights...dont want them crawling up into parts unknown or splitting and having any costume malfunctions in mid flight...that could get messy. With that thought, I will let you get back to your daily routine...LOOK! UP IN THE SKY! ITS A BIRD! ITS A PLANE! ITS A FULL MOON! NO! ITS SUPERFATMAN...(and hes split out the seat of his tights again!)
Posted on: Fri, 28 Nov 2014 10:41:47 +0000
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