Preparing for "I Remember When"

Whenever Gabi tells what she'd like to be when she grows up, which is often and varied, I try to make note of it so that someday in the far future, when she's famous, I can look back and say, "I remember when you were just two years old and already knew you wanted to be such and such!"

She started out, as I expect most little girls do, wanting to be a ballerina. I imagined starting her in classes when she was three, watching her twirl in her little tutus and pink tights. And how she would progress and catch the teacher's eye and after years of dedication be sent to study at some well known institute in New York City. And when she was the star of her company, I would say, "I remember when you got your first Angelina Ballerina video at the tender age of two, and how you would get all dressed up and make your dad learn the moves with you, and we just knew at that moment that you were destined to be a great ballerina."

Then she developed quite a fascination for ambulances, and the whole idea of transporting people who are hurt and in need of help to the hospital to be seen by doctors. When she first told me "I want to work in an ambulance when I grow up" I asked if she wanted to be the driver. She responded that, NO, she wanted to be in the back with the people who were hurt and needed help! Such conviction in a two year old must mean that she had found her calling! I imagined her coming home exhausted late one evening after a long day of working as an EMT, sitting down for dinner, and telling us how she had saved the President of the United States' life that day. And I would say, "I remember the very first time you said you wanted to be in the back of an ambulance helping people- you were a mere two years old, and we were at a red light and couldn't go when it turned green because an ambulance was screeching by. You got so excited and told me you would one day be in there, working to save the world, too. You knew at such a young age that this was your destiny. We are so proud of you."

There have been other career choices that have come and gone, like wanting to be a dog walker, or a professional chocolate eater. But it's the latest one that's got me in a tizzy. Because it's GOOD. If she can pull this off, well, let's just say that we'll be sittin' pretty.

On our way home from Costco Saturday afternoon, I heard for the very first time Gabi's desire to have a band. It was going to be LOUD, just like the motorcycle idling next to us, and she was going to play the drums. Oh, and no adults allowed, this was a band just for kids. And her best friend Noah and her best friend Tabitha were going to play with her. Just like Grover. When she started telling her dad about it the next day, I thought, "Wow, she's really into this." And I started to imagine several years down the road, waiting back stage for our famous drumming daughter at a summer concert in Australia. And I would say, "I remember when you wanted to start a kids band at just three years old because Grover started one on Sesame Street, and look at you now!"

Now, lest anyone think I'm trying to set Gabi up with some pretty high expectations, let me say that I really don't care what she does, as long as she has passion for it. Within reason, of course. I mean, I don't think being a beach bum is good, but surfer would qualify. And if fame and money come with it, I certainly won't say no to an expensive dinner.

It is so much fun to watch our young daughter's personality develop right in front of our eyes, and I can't help but wonder what part of her that we see now will still be with her when she's older. Be it a love for music or wanting to play with all the equipment in the back of an ambulance. And what new things will she grow a love for that she hasn't even discovered yet? Be assured, though, that with each new discovery, I will note it, and tuck it away so that I can be THAT mom, the one who always has to bust in with I Remember When...