In many houses like mine, the "High School Musical" movie is a HUGE hit. I think this is why my son got his first yearbook ever and just could not wait to show me. I picked him up from school and he was talking nonstop, eager to show me his picture and each of his friends, his kindergarten and first grade teacher, along with staff at the school. I asked; “So, does it feel pretty good to have your own yearbook?” He proudly smiled and said, “yeah.” I asked. "Does it make you feel important, kind of like a big kid? He smiled and said yes. I didn’t have yearbooks at that age but I don’t remember if it was because we didn’t have them, or that we couldn’t afford them. I am pretty sure we did not have them until high school.
That evening, we went to one of the larger discount retailers to buy him a baseball glove for the season. He insisted in carrying his new yearbook into the store and could not stop talking about it. Naturally, he was looking around to see if anyone noticed him carrying his new found publication. I am guessing he was thinking to himself (as I would have at that age) "Yep, I'm cool now that I have a yearbook. Can you all see how grown up I look here? I bet you want one too." It took me back to the mindset I probably had at that age, not much different from him. It is so interesting how our own lives are reflected through our children. They do things and it prompts a memory or a thought process that helps us to just enjoy them in their being who they are.
It was funny because at one point, there was a young little girl just a bit older than him and as she passed by he said loudly, “year book” over his shoulder so she could hear it. I was sure she was a student at his school and I chuckled. As we continued shopping, I mentioned to that I had a couple of old yearbooks and he wanted to see them.
When we got home I pulled out these memory books and started going through them, showing old pictures that caused him to giggle. Then I began reading the notes different people wrote to me. I had forgotten about some them, which classes we had together. I remembered how nice they were to me. Then I came across one that was from my best friend who was tragically murdered at 18 years old. For a long time, I beat myself up because I thought I wasn't a good enough friend to her, but when I read the note scribbled on one whole page, it was actually really healing. She was telling me how fantastic I was and how much fun we always had together and how I made her laugh. She gave me so many gifts I have carried with me all of these years. I miss her.
The one thing I took away from going through an experience like that at such a young age was that it is really important to love those around us at all times. Unconditionally. This life is short and we owe it to ourselves and the people we care about to tell them when they make a difference in our lives.
How do you let people know they are appreciated?
Kakie Fitzsimmons is Vice President and Founding Partner, Farmer's Hat Productions. She is also Co-Author of the award winning children's book series, Bur Bur and Friends. Bur Bur and Friends is a cast of multicultural characters who educate kids about sports, outdoor exploration and active play, through their experiences.
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