What do you do when you get a phone call from your 29 year old son to talk
to you about an offer from a TV show he was dying to get? What else do you
do but be the best parent you can be by staying calm in order to support
your son during his decision making process, while fear beyond belief grips
your heart, body and soul?
Two years ago, I received such a phone call. I took an "objective" stance,
listened and asked questions to help him decide whether or not to get on a
crab fishing boat that would sail on the Bering Sea to film The Deadliest
Catch, Emmy award nominated and most watched reality show on cable TV.
Never having watched the show I was not aware of the true danger he might be
getting into, although he described it pretty well-but those were words! I
did have that motherly protective and instinctive fear to tame none the
less.
It was clear to me he wanted to take this challenge on in spite of his own
concerns and fears. So I supported him in whatever decision he made all the
while screaming inside "are you crazy? Don't go!!!" It wasn't until the
first show of that season aired, when he was safely on dry ground and back
home after nearly 3 months at sea that I saw the true danger that was
involved for the fisherman and the TV crew.
When the first show of that season aired I dutifully turned on the TV at the
9:00 PM scheduled time. The first eight minutes of the show was about a
boat that had capsized and disappeared and the ultimate rescue of only one
survivor. It was at that point I called my son and left a message on his
cell phone "It is 8 minutes after 9 and I am watching TV, holy ****!" and
hung up.
He called me back shortly afterwards laughing and explaining even more of
the horrific details!
So what do you do when your child-adult or otherwise wants to take risks and
further his life's experience and career? In my case I controlled my
intense fear, let my heart and mind care for him in a way that supported his
dreams and thank G-d that he had the opportunity and he knew how to follow
his dream.
 Annie Stone | |
| About the author: | |
| Annie Stone has been married for 38 years to the same man, has three grown children. She is an artist, ribbon weaving creates stained glass like chuppot, challah covers and tallitot, and collage are her two main mediums. She is also a professional and personal coach working with people to transform their lives which gives her great satisfaction. | |
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