Hmmmm. I wonder what she meant by that
Yesterday, I was having a conversation with my sister. She is basically the same age as I am and we spent our public school careers in the same grade, many times sharing the same classroom. Her friends and mine were quite different, as I am more "social" and she was more studious. Her husband is also task oriented and a self-starter. They have created a very good life for themselves and their twin boys. The boys are just finishing up their sophmore year of high school.
We were discussing Hannah's graduation and a particular opportunity that has presented itself to my other daughter, Nicki. I was asking Heidi for advice on what to say to Nicki to incline her to pursue the chance.
Heidi said, "I am not very good at the motivating thing right now."
"Really? Why not?" I asked for her sons have always impressed me with their maturity and intelligence.
"I think I may have to use it again. It is about the only thing I know to use. You probably aren't going to like it"
"HA! What is it? Why wouldn't I like it?"
"Well, since you asked for it. I call it my Uncle Kurt Lecture...."
She busted out laughing, I busted out laughing as we each realized that I was the tool or example she was using to warn her kids about being slackers or getting off track! As we talked some more, she referred again to the "UKL" (her words) and at that point I realized this technique had obviously been employed many times in her home and her family had actually developed this code for it - UKL.
OMG!! It was later that I learned I may be my sister's biggest fear - that her sons turn out like me!!
See, Heidi knew me back then, when I was sorta constantly fucked up. And she confuses that with BEING a fuck up. Poor girl still doesn't seem to get it, that even though I work a blue collar job and don't chase the American/Bill Gates Dream, I am quite content most of the time.
I'm pretty sure I know what she meant. And I'm not mad. As I told her, if that is what it takes for her sons, then I am more than happy to fill the role.
But someday, I hope she is able to understand that I lean more in this direction -
From Matthew 6 (quoted from The Message:
19-21"Don't hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust or—worse!—stolen by burglars. Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it's safe from moth and rust and burglars. It's obvious, isn't it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being."
We were discussing Hannah's graduation and a particular opportunity that has presented itself to my other daughter, Nicki. I was asking Heidi for advice on what to say to Nicki to incline her to pursue the chance.
Heidi said, "I am not very good at the motivating thing right now."
"Really? Why not?" I asked for her sons have always impressed me with their maturity and intelligence.
"I think I may have to use it again. It is about the only thing I know to use. You probably aren't going to like it"
"HA! What is it? Why wouldn't I like it?"
"Well, since you asked for it. I call it my Uncle Kurt Lecture...."
She busted out laughing, I busted out laughing as we each realized that I was the tool or example she was using to warn her kids about being slackers or getting off track! As we talked some more, she referred again to the "UKL" (her words) and at that point I realized this technique had obviously been employed many times in her home and her family had actually developed this code for it - UKL.
OMG!! It was later that I learned I may be my sister's biggest fear - that her sons turn out like me!!
See, Heidi knew me back then, when I was sorta constantly fucked up. And she confuses that with BEING a fuck up. Poor girl still doesn't seem to get it, that even though I work a blue collar job and don't chase the American/Bill Gates Dream, I am quite content most of the time.
I'm pretty sure I know what she meant. And I'm not mad. As I told her, if that is what it takes for her sons, then I am more than happy to fill the role.
But someday, I hope she is able to understand that I lean more in this direction -
From Matthew 6 (quoted from The Message:
19-21"Don't hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust or—worse!—stolen by burglars. Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it's safe from moth and rust and burglars. It's obvious, isn't it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being."
posted by Kurt at 8:28 AM
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