Am I a music teacher, pupil or both?

The day care center called and said my youngest daughter was sick and asked if I would come get her.  I cancelled my work plans for the day and picked her up.

Both of my daughters enjoy performing. On the drive home Alexa began to sing the chorus from "If you only knew" by Shinedown.

It's 4:03 and I can't sleep

Without you next to me I toss and turn like the sea

If I drown tonight, bring me back to life
Breath your breath in me the only thing I still believe in is you

If you only knew

The artist that wrote that song (Brent Smith) explained it was inspired after a phone call he received letting him know he would soon be a father and this would involve some very serious decisions regarding his travel schedule and lifestyle.  This is not easy but there are times that we are reminded that every moment we have matters.

We spent the afternoon having fun and she showed no signs of being sick.  She requested more songs so I tried to teach her a few more and was amazed at how my four old picked up on the melodies so quickly. I must also say that both my daughters did great at their recent Christmas and song and dance programs so I think a little heavy rock is not beyond their reach.

Later in the day my older daughter spontaneously said "You may be a teacher but don't you think we teach you also?"  I don't know where that comment came from but after hearing of boyfriends and other uncomfortable subjects for a Dad I had to agree. I then negotiated that for the time being my simple mind would have to stick to the basics; not burning the popcorn before watching yet another "Monster High" movie.

Then I was taught a business lesson...

While doing homework with Kyra my youngest Alexa was managing "The store"; a service counter of shaved ice for neighborhood friends. $.01 each was the terms of sale.

One kid had no pennies but another investor was willing to go into debt to pay for it and did the same for another. He left the house and a few minutes later came back with three pennies to pay his and theirs.

I did not get into interest or profit because at this point his honor was impressive enough. When I (The CEO) offered him a free one for being honest he refused because he would not accept what he could not pay for.

Kyra then took the pennies for herself and when I tried to take my executive bonus she said "I never asked you to make those sales". She had taken over and is now the true CEO and I am just middle management. After all the kids were not there to see me, they were there for her product and while she was figuring out what 79 + 89 equals Alexa was on the production side serving the customers.

She did not get paid either.

As a consultant I suggested creating a margin. That we raise the price to $.10 per serving but if demand falls than try $.05 per unit but if your staff cannot be paid they will quit and you will have to do it yourself, give in to vultures or fold. In the meanwhile cost per serving must be calculated because now that Dad has been fired he will longer fund the supply chain without securing his investment.

She just looked at me and said "It is all mine".

Stunned I thought to do the old man lecture of who provided the facility, the equipment and the production line but it would have had no benefit. Dad was happy for her confidence and spirit and just watching these kids in action was amazing. So I let it play out.

Do I have a lot to teach her or is she teaching me?

Who is really the teacher here?

In these times Thanksgiving can be much more than Turkey Thursday. It is a four day swirl of stress and joy. There might be many families to visit, distant family we cannot be with, food prep, football, and impending “Black Friday” to prepare for Christmas before we have finished enjoying the feeling of saying “Thank You” instead of shouting out “I want that!”.

I just completed four days with my wonderful kids and I want to say thanks to them. We kept it modest and toned down. Including a wonderful feast with my Nephew, Sister, and her Husband. We just enjoyed time together and they did not complain once that it is simple and without distractions.

They got three home cooked meals a day, we read books and of course watched hours of Spongebob Squarepants. I tossed in a couple episodes of “Cosmos” (for me) to mix it up a little. This works because my oldest loves science and started a bone collection from the Cornish hen I made on Friday.

We discussed family heritage and both sides of my family as I am proud of them both and they make great bedtime stories. I encouraged my kids to look into Mom's side as well and share it with me.

Then the oldest told me she wants to be a teacher when she grows up. She listed why:

You teach computers
Grandpa teaches destruction (I had to correct that to construction)
Grandma teaches reading
Mom teaches stuff too...

I added:

“Grandpa on your Mom's side ran a whole school district and her family is full of teachers and coaches
Uncle Bill and Uncle Less on my side taught for over thirty years. Honorary Uncles, Larry, Tim, and John also do what I do. But sometimes the best teacher is the person who just does a simple good thing for a stranger. Quite often it comes at a time when they need it most. It wakes you up and motivates you. Such a thing has recently been done for me.”

She then wrote up a sign that she wants to hang on the front door for next weekend to have people sign up for an art class she can teach to neighborhood kids.

I hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving.

SD.