This school year Julia won her first trophy! It was for her school’s PTA Art Contest. She did a beautiful photo collage with pictures she took herself and won the AWARD OF EXCELLENCE which meant her art work went to District. She was soooo excited. Although I wasn’t entirely sure if the excitement was about the trophy or the chocolate cupcakes she was allowed to consume after the ceremony and right before bedtime.

When we got into the car to head home, we had the following conversation:
 

JULIA: Mom! Can you believe I won a trophy for my art?

ME: (concerned this success was going to lead her down the same impractical life path that I had taken and often regretted) It’s great that you have such artistic talent, sweetie, but remember it’s important to find a job that pays you LOTS and LOTS of money.

JULIA: (holding out both hands) Mom, this is my plate. In the middle of my plate, I’m going to be a doctor. On the side of my plate, is my art which I can do for fun. On the top of my plate is me taking care of my kids. And at the bottom of my plate is me having a happy life. THAT’s what’s on my menu.

ME: (stunned) Where did you hear that?

JULIA: I just made it up.

 

I stared (via the rearview mirror) in amazed silence at my then six-year old daughter as she stuffed her mouth with the last crumbs of her chocolate cupcake, licking her fingers so as not to miss a piece.  And at that moment, any concerns I had about the person she might become completely melted away. No matter what path she chose, practical or impractical, artistic or medical, I knew that I was raising one amazing kid who was on the road to becoming one terrific person. And she was my award for the one thing I knew I did absolutely right in my own life.

 

CLICK ON THE VIDEO BELOW TO SEE THE REDUX OF “THE CONVERSATION IN THE CAR” BECAUSE AS USUAL MOMMY DIDN’T HAVE HER VIDEO CAMERA ROLLING DURING ONE OF LIFE’S AMAZING MOMENTS.

(I wish life was like the Star Ship Enterprise where you can rewind and rewatch any moment because it’s all recorded. Then again, that might be a VERY DANGEROUS TOOL in a marriage and could lead to a lot of “I TOLD YOU SOs” and division of assets.)