Nine-year-old Cassandra sat in the Auditorium Theater in downtown Chicago alone, waiting for the thick maroon curtains to open. On an ordinary Saturday afternoon, she would be busy cleaning her room, watching television, or fighting with one of her four siblings. But here she was waiting for the curtains to open, a small, petite, brown-skinned girl in a sea of adults and strangers. She waited for the conductor to take the stage and signal to the waiting orchestra with his baton. Later, she would get lost in the world of violins, trombones, flutes, French horns, drums, and clarinets.
Cassandra’s mother had dropped her off an hour before the performance began. There was only money for one ticket. The family was probably going to have peanut butter sandwiches or bologna that day, while Cassandra got lost in the cacophony of sound.
Somehow, with the rent, food, and utilities, her mother found a way. She was willing to work overtime to squeeze out money for the child’s weekly piano lessons and, as an extra treat sometimes, a ticket to the opera.
What do you need to invest in for the child in your life? As parents, grandparents, and nurturers, we can’t ignore the signs of a child’s calling if we look.
Does he absorb all the materials about the Civil War he can obtain? Does she dance for hours before her bedroom mirror? Perhaps he’s a math genius and wants to be the banker when it’s time to play Monopoly. Maybe she can’t picture the world without chessboards. Does he sit under the porch for hours creating make-believe worlds of his own, like Tyler Perry? Does he preach to his imaginary friends like T. D. Jakes? Mr. Williams ushered Venus and Sabrina onto the tennis court as children. Beyoncé’s parents enrolled her in dance and music as a child.
Pay attention and be willing to invest in what could become his or her purpose, calling, or passion, which can be beneficial now and in years to come. How does your child express himself? What can she spend an exorbitant amount of time doing?
Nine-year-old Cassandra’s love for music took her into the classrooms of music schools, patiently mentoring her piano students. She encouraged her clients to nurture their own gifts and to find the courage to take the stage. She became a portal for many others to discover their own talents.
She would enjoy many more concerts in the years to come. As an adult, she would sit waiting for the opera or concert to begin and recall her late mother, who had invested in creating a portal for her in the world of music.
Stephen King, J.K. Rowling, Agatha Christie, Jim Henson, George Lucas, Maya Angelou, and numerous others with iconic gifts were supported, encouraged, mentored, supported, and trained as children. The key is having an adult willing to pay attention and invest in the blooming, talented child.
What are you doing to recognize, invest in, and encourage the talents and gifts of the children in your life?
Lucille is the author of several children’s books, including The Pond, the Tree, and the Fish.
