Shark Hunter Olympian, MD

This article caught my eye the other day when I signed onto my email.  A two-year-old  is already showing signs of being the next Tiger Woods.  The piece I linked to makes light of the whole matter, although no one's disputing the kid's got something. Sounds crazy, but I can see how the parents see this. The truth is, it's hard not to look at your kid and see greatness.

I don't say this in a stage mom, insane beauty pageant participant kind of way. I'm not saying it in a way that strives for prestige either. It's more that at two years and change, it's fascinating to me to see his interests develop. Yes, he's borderline obsessed with some things, but he's branching out into new avenues with the gusto that was previously reserved for whales, sharks and juiceboxes. I wonder where these new great loves will lead. In my mind, I fast forward ten, fifteen, twenty years from now to a grown-up H. airborne and kicking a soccer ball, diving off a board in the pool with startling grace, or presenting his remarkable findings on the Australian Coral Reef in a conference room full of the world's leading oceanographers and marine biologists where, when he's done speaking, one person does the slow clap and then everyone follows until the room vibrates with thunderous applause. Or something. I don't have it all completely figured out yet.

No less than twenty times a day, he asks to watch "sharkshow." He hands me the remote and demands it. It's a program we taped about Fabien Cousteau (grandson of H's god). I think it's a Dateline show (and I can't believe I don't know for sure, having seen it all of 5 million times), and there's nothing in it geared to kids, but H. loves it nonetheless. Watching him watch the show, I wonder, will he continue to love the sea and all things aquatic? Will that be his calling?

In gym class, he was the only child who could walk the balance beam. It was on the floor for the kids, but it was a balance beam all the same. He then began to do somersaults. And oh how he loves flapping around in the pool. A future Olympian?

At his playgroup, he is an expert puzzle solver. He can do the wooden puzzles without pictures underneath just by looking at it once. Will he pursue science? Math? Wooden puzzelry?

There are a million tiny things each day that amaze me about this boy. I imagine most parents feel that way as they watch their babies become toddlers, with distinct preferences and passions. And this is one of the most surprising things about being a parent: no one tells you what it's like to watch someone become who they are. Who they turn out to be.

At 35 years old, I've already chosen my path. It may change here and there, and I am still not sure of what lies ahead in terms of my pursuits. But how fascinating it is to look at this two year old life, buzzing with the charge of potential, not knowing where it will lead, but understanding that the road there will be open and long.

Comments

[Tommy Himself]

Beautiful.

As you know, I majored in Wooden Puzzelry. No money in it. Became writer. (Still no money -- but no splinters either.)

[Jill]

That's great... The heir also is an expert balance beamer.... In fact, he has a birthday party tomorrow at Tumble Bee tomorrow where he show off his prowess.

Mine likes to make cake too. A gymnast and a baker? Perhaps to burn off the calories!

[chicagomama]

Thank you for this post. Most of my day is like this as well, except of course we are looking at trains...all things relating to trains. Engineer? Designer? Conductor? Or Baggage Handler? It is all up for grabs right now. ;) What an amazing gift we have been given - I needed this post to remind myself of that.

[figlet]

This post makes me weepy. There's so much to your boy. It really is amazing. I wish LSP would show an affinity for something other than my Amex card. Because I'd like her road to involve a little more than shopping. Kidding. Just kidding. I think she may grow up to be a zoologist or monkey trainer. It's fascinating to watch your child enjoy something you never took much interest in yourself. Puts a whole new spin on things and it's a joy to be a part of it.

[Brooklyn Mama]

I love this - yes, truly one of the best aspects of parenting.

[marla]

I'm really enjoying the 2 year-old developmental phase because so much is happening. daily. We opened a 529 account so eventually we can spend thousands of dollars for her to major in microbiology or microbrewery.