Generations
By Judy Schroeder
I am pretty sure I’m not the only one who is still comparing herself to her mother’s vision for her…right? Even when it spoke through dread and disappointment (“You’re not wearing that!” or “You don’t have any weekend to come home?”), Mom’s voice was the one I wanted to hear.
I was blessed, too. I could actually trust her judgment. Her humor and understanding turned all the little household chores into a great chance to be with her. Really, it was a very sneaky way to pull off raising six children born within nine years of each other! Teamwork. Inspiration. Joy. We won’t go into the temper tantrums here. I’ll just say…Discipline. She was clear enough to “jerk a knot in your tail” or place that worry in your own head when you started to go off track.
My Mom was a passionate, loving woman.
So, you know what you do when you’re the daughter of a passionate, loving woman? No, I didn’t have six children in nine years. I have three of my own, and lots of neighborhood children.
Other people I know who have blessings to share, share those blessings as mentors, tutors, and coaches. Many, like Joe Tolan, just make it their business to know the children and families on their block, or plant a garden like Ms. Lucille at the Russell Community Garden, or even outfit a bike repair workshop as Whit Forrester did in Old Louisville. My husband is the “go to” guy for basketball pumping on our block in Portland.
We do it because it’s fascinating to watch the young societies mix and match interests, bargain and exchange goods, argue and test each other over who they are and what’s important, today, in life. It might look like a fight, but it’s a test of wills and beliefs. We can help them with that. They’re all asking to be heard. They are fantastic! The best thing is that as they grow up, another crop suddenly appears. Those young parents are pretty interesting, too!
I am so proud to be part of a community that wants to make our “Youth Vision” a reality, where we want all children to experience “Success By 6.” Your contributions of time and treasure keep great community facilities open in places where families need those safe, healthy, and free opportunities.
If you are the mentor, tutor, or coach who encourages teamwork, inspiration, joy and discipline, Thank You! Or, like me, maybe you’ll want to keep that backyard basketball hoop and jungle gym just so that – with parental permission and an open ear from the house – we can keep tabs on that next generation.
