Christmas 2007

2007: The year I lost my cool

Two years ago, I mentioned nose hair trimmers in the yearly Nelson family update letter. In early January I anonymously received a mini-grooming kit. Last year, I talked about Whiplash, the Cowboy monkey. Soon thereafter, a mouse pad with a picture of the famous capuchin monkey mysteriously arrives on my doorstep. These two facts have lead me to the inescapable conclusion that the title of this 2007 letter needs to be: 2007: The Year of Cold Hard Cash. Unfortunately, my wife does not agree. Given the fact that I am a non-voting member of the Nelson family coalition, this leaves me no other option than to shift over to “Plan B” and discuss other matters. This is the year my children started to realize what all my classmates in high school learned rather quickly: I am not as cool as you might think. For now, though, let us turn to the family update...

Margaret, the oldest child, is eleven years old and is in fifth grade at Dove Elementary. Her favorite subjects this year are social studies and math. She is still very active in her Girl Scout troop and KDOV, the school television channel. She is in the Christmas choir at at our church and is also an alter server.

Cal is a second grader at Dove Elementary. He would like all of you to know that his money collection is coming along quite nicely. His goal is to collect one of every bill printed in the USA. He has been very active in other areas as well, participating in boy scouts, fencing, and karate where he has just earned his yellow belt. He considers himself an aspiring magician.

Charlie, who is now four years old, is in his last year at the preschool program at Saint Francis Catholic Church. He also takes 2 different music classes and loves to play with his brother Cal and his neighborhood friends. He has learned how to swim, can dress himself, and is growing up very fast. It is hard to believe that he will be in kindergarten next year.

Laura has had a very busy year. Last year, she taught music 1 day a week at the Saint Francis preschool program. This year, she has added a second day of teaching where she focuses on gross motor skills. Additionally, she has also started teaching Musikgarten music classes independent of the preschool program. She currently teaches a music class for kids aged 4-7 and plans on adding classes for other age groups in the future. She is very good at this and seems to have found a good rhythm.

As for myself, I had one significant event this year. This is the year my children started to doubt my coolness. As those of us with children understand, our kids are born thinking their parents are smart, interesting, and very cool. The journey to young adulthood teaches them that this just isn't so.

The catalyst in this unfortunate event is Cal. As many of you know, he is both ambitious and a dreamer. He is constantly coming up with schemes and plans. Earlier this year, Cal decided to combine his love of guns and his desire to help animals in a somewhat unconventional way. He approached me with a “business plan” on how we were going to help animals. This was a plan he had been thinking about for a long time and he had a vision he wanted to share. His thought process went something like this: I would first need to buy Cal a shotgun. He would then use the shotgun to hunt animals. After shooting the animals, he would sell the animal fur for money. He would then donate the money to a charity to help save animals.

My initial reaction was not what he expected: “Cal, do you think that if we just didn't shoot the animals, we might, in a way, be helping them? Let's just not shoot them. How does that sound?” In his eyes, his plan was solid. His vision was bold. When he approached me, he had been looking for affirmation. He could tell that I just did not “get it.” I sensed a moment of doubt had arrived. Of course the shadow of doubt was not cast over his plan, but rather on me. Perhaps his father was not as clever and cool as he had previously thought. Perhaps I am not a visionary, like him.

Fortunately for me, it is important to remember that we are not called to be popular. We are called into service to help others. As parents, we fulfill this service by teaching and protecting our children, sometimes from their own ideas. If you had not gathered by now, this means Cal did not get the shotgun. Consequently,  my popularity has taken a hit. This time of year, though, we are reminded that this call to help others extends beyond our circle of family and friends.

Now, this episode did not caused any real friction between Cal and myself. It is just the natural process of children growing into their own. As my kids find their own way, I will probably be less and less popular. Well, as the kids from my high school will vouch, that is a roll I can handle...

 

Have a peaceful holiday season,

 

Cyle, Laura, Margaret, Cal and Charlie Nelson