Childhood dreams for the future should always be encouraged. Even if you do not have the foggiest idea of what they are about and your own desires involve greater things, acknowledge and support your children’s aspirations.
My second daughter Jill, our feisty middle child, wanted nothing more than to be a “Vegernarian”; it took her father and me a few years in our attempts to decipher that one. The best we managed to come up with was, a Vegan-oriented, Dr. Doolittle and it suited her to perfection, right up to the animal-loving part, anyway.
I am beyond proud of my daughter, of her ability to function as a great mother and wife along with maintaining a role dedicated to animals. Years ago, she came up with the idea to breed Betta Fish and nearly turned her home into a branch of Sea World. Who would have guessed that she would become the “Fertile Myrtle” of Fishdom, tending to tanks of horny Betta’s all swimming around with that “come hither” look in their fishy eyes and who reproduced on an almost daily basis. Fish were everywhere you looked; on cabinets, bookshelves, bedrooms, bathrooms and the damn things even survived the combined fishing expeditions of Jill’s two cats.
Fortunately, her home-based little business soon ended and Jill turned her attention to what motivates her the most… rescuing discarded, unwanted pets and one where she will go to the mats over any issue surrounding animal abuse.
A recent year long position as Shelter Manager of our local humane society was a short-lived triumph for Jill. Newly adoptive pet families adored her, sending her flowers and bestowing constant praise in her direction. She worked exhaustingly long hours, seven days each week, always on immediate call for any emergency.
Unfortunately, the animal zealots working behind the scenes were determined to undermine Jill’s every endeavor in attempting to bring the shelter up to decent standards. She refused to allow a group of malcontented shelter members to compromise her principles and integrity so she resigned, not wanting to play any part in their dishonest agenda.
I celebrate my daughter and will always be inspired by her strive to push her way out of the middle and into the spotlight of life.
But please, no more Fish…….
This week ‘s Dare to Share Link Up concerns a post about your dream job, what you wanted to be when you grew up as a child…what you want to be now. Tell us about your dreams and how you’re going to make them come true.
Well, this post, written several months ago, is about my daughter Jill; her dreams and accomplishments and something I felt worth sharing.
