If every kid had a Suzanne

If everyone had a Suzanne Kelley in their corner things would be better.

Every kid would feel they could do it.  Oh, sure, some doubt would enter their heads but they'd have Suzanne there telling them "you can do that."  There'd be a caveat or two.  She won't back the plan to play for the Harlem Globetrotters.  It may be harsh but it will remain sage advice.

If every kid had a Suzanne Kelley, they'd know what it is to be thoughtful and progressive.  They'd be exposed to the conservative idea that you better work hard for what you want but they'd see that many need help. The kid would learn how important it is to help others and would also carry the expectation that you can do it yourself.

If everyone had a Suzanne, they'd see the merit in decriminalizing marijuana (she's held this view for awhile, at least since her 90th birthday) and they would see how important it is that all of us live, work and learn with people with special needs since she worked with these people early in her career as a physiotherapist.

If every kid had a Suzanne they'd learn to be patriotic but not nationalistic.  They'd have that quiet pride in their country, particularly after seeing that Suzanne served as an officer in the RAF during WWII.  The kid would learn from Suzanne not to brag about stuff like that because others sacrificed a great deal more than her.  They'd learn it's better to do something than talk about it.  They'd learn to be Canadian.

They'd admire Americans too.  Perhaps not the current administration but they'd know that Americans have come to the rescue of the world a couple of times and that, despite their failings, they are an incredibly resilient people.  They'd be able to see beyond the current state of affairs in all things.

If everyone had a Suzanne in their corner, they'd be resilient too.  Suzanne would not allow them to quit.  If they started something, Suzanne would make them finish it.  There's no quitting.  They'd be encouraged to keep going and they wouldn't be allowed to blame someone else if things weren't going their way.  They'd have a sympathetic ear, they could cry, but after that was done, they'd get back up and try again because Suzanne would expect it.  They'd be resilient because she is.

If every kid had a Suzanne they'd learn they're important but not the center.   She wouldn't brag about them. Suzanne would be proud of them and tell them so but she'd largely keep her mouth shut around other people.  She'd never tell the kid how smart he or she was but they'd know she thought they were pretty smart. She'd also tell them that being smart is not really that big of a deal.

If everyone had a Suzanne in their lives, they'd know that not everyone has a Suzanne and they'd approach the world that way.

If everyone had a Suzanne, they'd have a stable base to launch their own lives.  They'd have dinner with their family every night and they'd be able to count on her for a long, long time. They'd have a home where, while the place might be a little messy, it'd be full of love and ideas and conversation and laughter.

I hope you get to spend today with your Suzanne.

Happy Mother's Day.