Believe in yourself and anything is possible.
This is a blog about two inspiring children. They happen to be our children, and we would be inspired by them even if these weren’t their stories but why not share?
The first is about our daughter. She was a precocious preemie, arriving two months prior to her due date, and has gracefully handled a variety of challenges throughout her three decades.
She dreamed of being a nurse from the young age of four, watching a show called A Baby Story obsessively, undoubtedly influenced by the epic stories of my pregnancy, her hasty birth, and the NICU experience.
Her first academic run at this dream was met with resistance when her GPA, while excellent, wasn’t quite high enough to make the cut to upper division after her sophomore year. The university kindly informed her – in a letter – that she might want to change her professional trajectory.
Undaunted, she sought out alternative educational options. She transitioned to a two-year college, knocked out her LPN in no time, quickly obtained her EMT license, and went on to become a licensed RN. From there she received her bachelor’s degree followed by, you guessed it, a masters.
She is now a sought after and successful nurse manager. Apparently, she had it right the whole time.
Then comes our son. We put him in piano lessons when he was old enough to reach the pedals, but he preferred the baseball field. Always the kind of parents to want our children to pursue their own paths, that was fine with us.
Fast forward to high school, still an accomplished athlete, we encouraged him to put choir on his freshman course list to give him some variety. He loved it. Yet in his sophomore year he decided to pursue other interests. His music teacher had different plans for him and changed his schedule to include choir once again. Brilliant woman!
By his junior and senior year he was doing solos and performing in talent shows and student showcases. Those piano lessons? He decided at the age of 17 that he needed to learn to play the piano, so he taught himself.
Soon after he picked up the guitar and practiced and practiced and practiced.
We decided to give a very popular national music competition a try several years ago. They asked for his backstory, which was quite vanilla, and quantity of social media followers, which was none because he wasn’t on social media. They cut his band and sent him to the rejection room before he struck a note.
Undaunted, he continued to practice, play, and write music. This month, he will open for CAAMP at Red Rocks, featuring his original songs. No backstory required. He is releasing his first single as this blog goes to press.
“Dream Your Dreams and Live Your Dreams,” is a quote my mother handed down from my grandmother and likely hers before that. Hopefully these two inspirational offspring will pass it along to the next generation because it has certainly served them well.
One thing is for sure, wherever their paths lead, we’ll be their biggest fans. Can’t wait to see what’s next!
The opportunities for your next Montana adventure are unlimited and Cherry Creek Guest House is ready to serve as your home away.
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