As an Asian Parent, I’m not sure if I should be admitting this… But, I could honestly care less if any of my kids become Doctors, Lawyers, or whatever prestigious profession you can name.
My only goal ever as a parent was to raise good human beings. Humans who are kind, respectful, and conscious of the world and community that surrounds them. So, when I receive a text like the one I received today, it gives me reassurance that my oldest kid is well on his way towards that goal.
So, here’s the story:
Earlier today, I got a text from a mom of one of Nash’s friends and fellow classmates. The text read,
“Kyle and Lily, you have raised an amazing human. Thank You! My daughter Samantha is sick and Nash brought her chicken soup tonight!”
I had no idea that Nash had done this, so I called him up to find out the details.
“So, Samantha is sick?” I asked.
“Yeah, she’s feeling pretty terrible. We have a project due tomorrow, but she called to tell me that she has a bad cold and won’t be in class. Then I saw the chicken soup we bought at Walmart and thought, when you have a cold, you eat chicken soup!”
“Ha! Exactly Nash! Chicken Soup is good for the soul. And for the common cold!” I replied.
“So, did you just give her the soup in the container?” I asked.
“No, I went over to her dorm building, heated up the soup in the kitchen, and brought it up to her room nice and hot! Oh, and I gave her Skittles too... Cuz if you're gonna be kooked up in your room for a long time, you need Skittles!”
"Ha! I can’t argue that kind of logic! I mean, what sickness can withstand the mighty healing effects of Chicken Soup and Skittles??? I’m proud of you today Nash. Good job!”
“Thanks Dad”.
Thus ending our little story…
Look, I know this is a silly little nothing story of small kindness. But, it is my belief that more often than not, your true character is revealed through your smallest actions, not your biggest. "Who you are as a person" is better determined by the humble kindnesses of your heart, and not the grand gestures from your hands.
Nash is currently a freshman at Whitman College. And he currently has no idea what he wants to do in life or what his major might be. But here’s what I do know:
That dorky kid I sent off to college did well today. He paid attention. He was intentional. He not only saw others, he met their needs with the meager resources he had. He was kind. He was thoughtful. He brought Skittles.
Today, Nash proved that he just might be a good human (in training anyway). 😁✌️
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