they gave me the tools
Rain poured down on Saturday, which meant football games were cancelled. The boys around here groaned a bit, but I was secretly thankful I didn’t have to sit in the cold all day. With a completely empty day ahead, we took advantage of doing things we don’t get to do every day. For my oldest daughter, if I have spare moment she wants to fill it with crafting or sewing. She could make crepe paper ruffles all day long. I snapped the photo below with my phone and posted it on Instagram.
When I took and shared the photo, I was struck by her concentration face, not the fact she was sewing. She has used my machine for last two years by herself. It surprised me a little when others asked about her sewing. It made me think too. Just a couple days before I shared a photo of my mom, sister and I after a birthday dinner. When I shared that photo, someone asked about if Lesley and I got our creativity from my mom.
Both of my parents are creative and artistic. Their talents play out in different ways. For as long as I remember my parents have never said they couldn’t build, make or sew something that I asked them to build, make or sew for me. Combined I really don’t think there is anything they couldn’t create. They’ve also never told Lesley and me that we couldn’t. If we wanted to try it, they encouraged it. I don’t remember being told I was too young to use a hammer or that little girls don’t drywall their bedrooms. So, when my daughter began wanting to use my sewing machine at 3 years old, I think it just made sense to me to let her try under my watchful eye. It was what I was taught. Naturally, my parents took safety into consideration and so do I. My dad still always makes sure I wear my safety googles and ear protection when I’m building with him. I’m thankful for parents that encouraged me to try my ideas instead of telling me it was too hard, too messy, too risky. I’m also thankful they didn’t do it all for me. They gave me tools, instruction when I would listen, and let me learn.
I hope when I have a 14 year old daughter she doesn’t decide she wants smooth walls instead of textured ones. I remember the mess I made as a teenager with drywall mud and sanding it. I still can’t believe my parents let me…I’m guessing they might not have believed I’d actually do it. Nonetheless, I’m guessing I’ll probably say “go for it” if one of my kids asks one day. I might have made a mess, but I also learned a tremendous lesson being empowered by my parents to tackle such a big house project. I want to empower my kids like that…I just hope empowering them turns out to be less messy for me than it was for my parents!
