Destined

We made the mistake of watching the movie October Sky with Cole tonight. You know, the movie with actor Jake Gyllenhaal, where the high school boys build a rocket during the time the Russians launched Sputnik in 1957. This movie’s main message was about following your dreams and doing what you’re born to do.
Big brother Will had a rare school-night sleep over at his grandparents and we had the two littles in bed by 8. This was a special time for just Cole and us. I’m not going to lie, we started to regret our decision. Throughout the movie Cole was asking his normal insightful questions: ‘Why does his dad want him to work in the mine? Why does he quit school to work in the mine? Why is his dad upset with him for quitting the mine?’
These were all very relevant questions for the movie (but constant interruptions). When Jake’s character’s teacher tells him that her life was to be a teacher and her dream is to see him choose his dream, he decides to choose rocket-building over his job in the mine. At this time Cole announces to us ‘I know what that teacher meant,’ he said. ‘She meant to follow your dream and find out what you’re born to do,’ he continues. ‘I was born to be in the military. That’s what I was destined to do.’
Daddo and I were both shocked by his choice of words. ‘Destined?’ Not the word I would’ve chosen at 7 years old. Cole has idolized heroes since he was 3 years old. It started with Captain America and of course he wore that red, white and blue costume every where; to school, church, grocery stores, and usually with his brown John Deere boots. Then one morning while he and I were driving to school, Cole randomly (his usual way of striking up a topic) announced that ALL the military people fighting for our country, are all Captain Americas. That’s when his fascination with the military started. He was 4 years old. This fascination has included spy tactics, special operations, FBI, and most recently joining the local Cub Scouts.
After his ‘destined’ remark, Daddo paused the movie and we discussed his options of joining the military. We made a deal with him that the ONLY way he was going to be in the military was if he was accepted to one of the nation’s academies. We explained to him about the different choices including West Point, Air Force, Naval and the requirements needed in high school to even have a chance to be accepted. He liked the idea of being a ‘Captain’ or ‘General.’
We then briefly discussed his family’s history of doing well in high school and being ‘top of their class.’ His great grandfather Tyner was a Valedictorian, as well as his great grandmother Mot, his great Uncle Tommy, grandmother Nonnie, and his Uncle Ty.  Daddo mentioned he was #3 in his class. Cole was starting to understand what he needed to do. I felt the need to add the fact that I was #11 in my graduating class. My ‘destined’ child then said, ‘Now we know why you went to University of Houston and Daddo went to Rice.’
This kid keeps me laughing, sometimes makes me cry, and occassionally has me raising my eyebrows. He is an old soul in a little boy’s body.  He’s definitely destined for something great. I’m sure he’ll do whatever he was born to do no matter what his Daddo and I say.

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