19 May, 2011
Parent as dreamcatcher, matchmaker
Posted by andrea tomkins in: Easy ways to make kids happy|parenting
Sometimes I ask myself: what’s my job, as a parent? The way I see it, part of my job is to make sure my kids are safe, that they have good memories, that they are healthy, and that they are prepared for what lies ahead of them along the path of Life. Part of my job, I think, and this is rather abstract, is to help make my children’s dreams come true and to help provide the match that lights a fire within them.
As parents we don’t know what that match will be and when it will strike. It could be a newspaper article about a tsunami in a faraway county that leads to a career helping others. It could be a trip to the ER that kickstarts a lifetime of saving lives on the operating table. It could be a trip to the planetarium that launches a young Carl Sagan on a journey among the stars … whether it’s literally or figuratively.
Who knows.
I can only speak for my own match. I remember my heart turning over upon itself the first time I saw my name in print. It was perched quietly on top of a grey column of words, words that I had chosen so carefully. That feeling of my heart turning over never left me. That was my match.
I’ve had the opportunity to provide my daughter with a match too.
Some of you already know about 4Cats Arts Studio. They’re a blog patron. I’ve written about 4Cats a few times before. The girls have taken workshops there and Sarah had a birthday party there too. A few weeks ago the owner, Emaly, sent out an email to a group of us, wondering whether we wanted to lend a finished canvas or two to a special art show taking place at Chinatown Remixed. Our answer had to be yes.
Ever since she was small, Sarah’s had a thing for art. She’s come up with the most incredibly imaginitive designs, doodles, projects. And they just keep coming. It’s clear that art occupies a vast space inside her, so much so that I know that some day this is what she’s going to do for real.
To see your art hanging in a public space for everyone to see, well, that’s just amazing. Perhaps it will be a match.
And the desciption of the event (which is tonight!) makes it sound all the more official: A vernissage with young 4Cats artists of Ottawa whom are displaying their prized work for the Chinatown Remixed Art Festival May 15 – June 15th. Showcasing masterpieces created by the talented artists from 4Cats Arts Studio Hintonburg.
It’s at Shanghai Restaurant. Look for the blue-petalled flower if you happen to be there.
I am so glad we are able to do this for our dear Sarah. I can’t wait to see where she takes it.
