This is what I want to say to my kids:
“No, I don’t really believe that you have a doctors appointment. No, I don’t believe that you can’t get a ride home because I know you ride the bus. No, you don’t have an NHS meeting because I was here when they announced that it was canceled. No you may not leave early to go to work because I know you don’t have a job. The restroom? Are you kidding me? You just want to talk to your friend who just tapped on the window. Yes, you have to apply for ten scholarships. Do I look like a fool? I know you’re not coming next week. I know you didn’t try to call me because I have caller i.d. Yes, you have to research the college you want to attend before you apply. How old are you? 18? How long have you been in my class? And you still don’t know what days we meet? You still don’t know my phone number or what room we meet in? No, I don’t believe you. Look, if you don’t care about getting into college, then I don’t care either. I refuse to drag you along until you finally realize that, ‘Hey, there’s money to be had’. I want you to succeed, but I’m not going to make you. Life is all about choices. You make choices everyday. You choose what’s important and let me know. You do what you’ve got to do. After all, it’s balls to the walls. I love you child, and I give you my all. Now give me some work in return. I’ll take two steps, you take one.”
But inevitably I say:
“Okay, well, try to come tomorrow. We’ll just play catch-up with you then. Have a great day.”
because I have to, because I'm one of the few people who actually believe in them, and because after all, they're still just kids.
Bad days happen to everyone. But tomorrow I'll get up and do it all over again. I wouldn't have it any other way.
“No, I don’t really believe that you have a doctors appointment. No, I don’t believe that you can’t get a ride home because I know you ride the bus. No, you don’t have an NHS meeting because I was here when they announced that it was canceled. No you may not leave early to go to work because I know you don’t have a job. The restroom? Are you kidding me? You just want to talk to your friend who just tapped on the window. Yes, you have to apply for ten scholarships. Do I look like a fool? I know you’re not coming next week. I know you didn’t try to call me because I have caller i.d. Yes, you have to research the college you want to attend before you apply. How old are you? 18? How long have you been in my class? And you still don’t know what days we meet? You still don’t know my phone number or what room we meet in? No, I don’t believe you. Look, if you don’t care about getting into college, then I don’t care either. I refuse to drag you along until you finally realize that, ‘Hey, there’s money to be had’. I want you to succeed, but I’m not going to make you. Life is all about choices. You make choices everyday. You choose what’s important and let me know. You do what you’ve got to do. After all, it’s balls to the walls. I love you child, and I give you my all. Now give me some work in return. I’ll take two steps, you take one.”
But inevitably I say:
“Okay, well, try to come tomorrow. We’ll just play catch-up with you then. Have a great day.”
because I have to, because I'm one of the few people who actually believe in them, and because after all, they're still just kids.
Bad days happen to everyone. But tomorrow I'll get up and do it all over again. I wouldn't have it any other way.
posted by Mike at 10/01/2003 12:00:00 AM
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