I am a proud mom. And maybe not for the reasons you might think.
Sure- Jon has gotten a job with a new sports radio station. In a matter of weeks he had a job in his field after graduation. Again, in a matter of weeks of being hired he was producing his own show each Saturday. In a matter of a couple of weeks more he was picked to be THE producer and “sidekick” for a new drive time show to go up against the biggest sports talk show in the country. All of this is enough to make a mother proud. However, it is still not what I am most proud about.
I am proud because Jon knows how the world works. His dad and I have told him that the world doesn’t owe you anything. You work for it. Lots of kids his age don’t get that. Also, you pay your dues. You don’t come out of college asking for your own show. You don’t jump in and talk over the hosts of the show. Sure, you take your opportunities and they will present themselves more often if you do it in the right way. You agree to work Thanksgiving Day and the day before and the day after, like Jon did to prove you are willing to work. And to show that you understand you are the “new guy”. And to let the older people who have grandkids coming from out of town have time off.
In our house we call it “getting brownie points”. You do for people hoping that someday it comes back to you in some way that you don’t expect. You hope the boss or teacher sees you are working so hard and willing to do so much that they remember that when you need that extra point or that extra consideration. And it makes you feel better when you work hard and do the right thing! It is a win/win situation!
So I am proud that he learned the lessons we taught him and knows how to work hard, lay low, be helpful and go above and beyond. I hope we have taught him by example and by telling him how the world really works. And I hope he continues to advance and experience success in a phenomenal way. He is a great guy and I hope he knows I think that!
