I'd like to propose a toast: Here's to the best parents, who don't just "let" their kids be who they want to be, but actually embrace what makes them unique and help them along their way.
Read this hilarious article about the coolest, most self-assured 7 year old to ever dress up as Lady Gaga.
Speaking of Gaga...
...I'm not impressed by the kid's knowledge of the choreography. I'm impressed that he goes full-tilt for the entire song.
When I was 5, I memorized all the words and choreography to the "Enjoli" perfume commercials. My parents would have me perform it for the neighbors, which of course I did with gusto. I would hit the "wooooooooman" with a deep, belting whoop from down in my gut, like a gospel singer. I have no idea where I learned to do it--there was certainly no gospel singing in our Catholic church--but everyone would laugh, and laugh. So I kept it in, as my own artistic interpretation. I didn't know what I was singing about; I just felt dramatic and glamorous, like the lady in the commercial filmed with a frosted lens. She seemed so cool, singing about how she could do anything. I wanted to be strong like that.
As the years went by, and my "Enjoli" performance led to tap dancing lessons, I knew my father tolerated, perhaps slightly resented, what I was doing. So I had to make a choice: either apologize for it, or square my shoulders and hit the stage with no fear, to show the world that I didn't need their approval. I just wanted their applause.
Those lessons learned never fade, I guess.
From this week's Post Secret... favorite "hopeful secret" of all time...
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X4YzN45A1kU/T-ZGyVFDEzI/AAAAAAAATtA/4aIZlv8ILjE/s1600/Picture%2B10.png
Posted by: Joni | June 29, 2012 at 07:50 PM
P.S. You would make a great Dad just saying.
Posted by: Joni | June 29, 2012 at 07:51 PM
Happy birthday, Dan :)
Hope you get a cupcake today.
Posted by: Casey | July 02, 2012 at 09:25 AM
That's funny and sweet, Dan. My 7 year old daughter (who is an unabashed extrovert/show-off) specializes in reciting commercials she hears on the radio. She is very sad they don't have a segment on "America's Got Talent" for that commercial recitation, because she's *convinced* she'd win it. My favorite part of her "routine" is when she takes a deep breath, centers herself, and chirps in a quiet, friendly voice, "S.C. Johnson: a family company."
And then I LMAO.
Posted by: shelley(ness) | July 09, 2012 at 10:16 PM
you are awesome. You lit up the stage every time you stepped on it, in my memory.
Posted by: jenny | July 10, 2012 at 12:16 PM
I need to have more things that are "just for disco". That kid is my hero
Posted by: Anne | July 13, 2012 at 08:13 PM