I've always admired people who can play the piano - I mean really play. These are folks who can play anything put before them, from classical to jazz. I struggled through years and years of piano and organ lessons. While I had a great appreciation for all types of music, it became quickly apparent that I sorely lacked any keyboard talent.
It was then that I turned my sights other creative outlets. I've dabbled in many crafty things, and have spent quite a bit of time directing community theater. I'm also quite a trivia and puzzle maven. And if there is a Scrabble board available, stand back.
Talent is kind of a funny thing. Some people say it's something you're born with, while others contend that talent is something that must be nurtured and grown. In my own humble opinion, I think it's a combination of nature and nurture.
My husband is quite the wordsmith. He has a real knack for writing. Poetry is his specialty. He's been published on several occasions and I am quite fortunate to have received many sweet and sentimental love poems in the dozen years we've been together. He jots down bits and fragments when he thinks of a clever turn of phrase or an interesting alliteration or rhyme.
Daniel is trying to find himself and his natural skills, too. He's tried out several sports and athletic endeavors and has decided that there are a couple things at which he excels. He's learning to swim and loves to be in the water. Last summer, I practically had to pry him out of the outdoor swimming pool. He's said a few times that he would be interested in being on the swim team when he gets older and feels more confident in his skills.
Daniel has also been creating his own comic books lately. He loves to create characters - villains, heroes, dragons and damsels. He's quite the little writer, too. He loves bring in an element of comedy to his comic books. He also likes to write his own jokes, which sometimes are quite funny, and other times - well, let's just say they fall under the category of 8-year-old humor.
He's even had a few experiences on the stage. I think letting children experience the theater is a wonderful way to build self-confidence, poise and communication skills. And it's a lot of fun, too.
There is one skill that my son seems to have mastered. He is the king of the claw machine. The claw machine is that game you see at discount stores, arcades and other places. They are filled with stuffed animals and other prizes that entice people to drop a dollar for a chance at the something cool. Those machines remind me of an old carnival game. You know it's somehow fixed and the odds of winning are next to zero, but the flashing lights and colorful prizes are pretty enticing.I have to admit, Daniel has somehow overcome those odds. Nearly every time he steps up to one of those machines, he walks away with a prize. On one particular family night out, we were having dinner at a restaurant that had a little arcade area. He asked for some change and walked over to the claw machine. He came back with two prizes. He had managed to snag two stuffed animals in the scoop. He headed back to the machine and within minutes was back with yet another prize. To make a long story short, he ended up winning eight stuffed animals from the machine that night. Then my big-hearted son walked around and shared his loot with other kids in the restaurant.
So, there you go. Talent does come in many different forms. I don't know what other talents my son will develop as the years go by, but one thing of which I can be sure - he will have my encouragement, support and his very own cheering section.
