In the movie, Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium, Dustin Hoffman plays Mr. Magorium; the owner of a somewhat magical toy store. Mr. Magorium, who is 243 year old, however, is about to die. In preparation for his passing, he makes arrangements to leave the toy store to Molly Mahoney, the young woman who has been his friend and assistant since she was a child.
Molly, however, resists. For one thing, she doesn't want to accept that Mr. Magorium is going to die. What's more, she doesn't she think she is capable of taking over the toy store. In fact, she doesn't think she is capable of doing much of anything. Feeling insecure about who she is and what the future holds for her, Mr. Magorium has these final words of encouragement and wisdom for Molly...Your life is an occasion. Rise to it.
Mr. Magorium wasn't Molly's parent, but his advice is as paternal as it gets. As a parent, there are few things we could say to our children that have as much potential to encourage and embolden them to aspire to be who they were created to be as those two sentences: Your life is an occasion. Rise to it.
Don't say it with just words, though. Words are easy to say. You need to provide them with opportunities and resources to develop their passions and talents into goals and dreams. And then you need to be there to cheer them on as they take those goals and dreams and turn them into realities.
For some children that means spending hours in the bleachers or at swimming lessons and meets. For some it will mean countless trips to the zoo and aquarium because they can't get enough of it. For some it will mean acquiescing to having an ant farm, lightening bugs, a stray cat or two, an injured bunny rabbit, a box turtle or two, and possibly even a field mouse in your house because your future veterinarian can't turn an animal away. For some it will mean having enough glitter, beads, paper, markers, stickers, paints, and every other kind of craft supply to keep your budding artist happy. A telescope in your living room, a rock collection to vacuum around, pompoms or ballet shoes and oodles of recital costumes...whatever it is, as a parent YOU need to help them RISE and SHINE to the occasion that is THEIR LIFE.
Remember, though, that the occasion of your children's lives may not look like you think it should, or be a life you would choose for them...or even yourself. But if your children are happy, self-sufficient, and people of integrity, then I think it is safe to say they are rising to the occasion of their life. And that means as a parent, you have risen to the occasion of your life, too.
Love,
Momma D
