Marching as a 10 year old...

Do you really remember what it was like to be a kid?  I know I remember the highs and lows, but I often forget how it actually felt.  I have a 10 year old nephew, and I absolutely adore him.  And, not just because he is a lot like me.  ;)  He is a neat little person, and his name is John Henry.  I find myself forgetting he could actually have fears or be uncertain about his future.  He's 10.  It's not like he has a mortgage.  

I was visiting him one weekend, which is something I should really do more often.  We always gather around my sister's breakfast island and just chat.  I had brought my favorite and well-worn tarot cards with me.  He asked me about them.  I gave him a quick answer as to what tarot was.  He asked me why I practiced.  I gave him another quick answer and did not even let my eyes leave my cards.  Silence.  I looked up, and he was staring intently at the cards.  He said, "I have an important problem."

Tarot

I asked him what his problem was.  It turns out he is very concerned about his career path.  John Henry has been involved in the theater from a very young age.  He has performed in small roles, large roles, musicals, plays, etc.  The kid belongs on a stage.  Even when he doesn't realize someone is watching him, he is performing.  He really wants to be an actor, and he has been having some concerns as to whether or not he is on the right path.  We sat at the breakfast island, along with my husband and my sister (JH's mom), and I read his cards.  He came to the conclusion that he was his own obstacle.  Fear was what held him back from pursuing his career path.  I was stunned.  All of this from a 10 year old boy.  

John Henry spent the night with us last night.  We woke up this morning and had to hobble together some sort of breakfast for him.  We fend for ourselves around here, so this is not usual for me and Big Al.  I was sitting at our breakfast table with John Henry and started to ask him some questions.  Since our tarot reading, I have really thought more about how he is feeling.  What does it feel like to be 10?  I don't remember.  Here's our conversation.

Me: "So, what's the hardest thing about being 10?"

JH: "Hair."

Me: "What do you mean hair?"

JH: "I'm starting to go through puberty, and I don't like dealing with hair."

Concise little fella!

Me: "What do you wish your parents would do for you that they are not doing?"

JH: "Nothing.  They support me."

Me: "How do they support you?"

JH: "Uncle Al!!!!  I need more sweet tea!"

That was the end of our conversation.  He's 10.  He might have more concerns than I ever stopped to think about, but he does have priorities.  Apparently, they involve sweet tea at breakfast because...why not?  I love that little man.  I love that he challenges me and makes me think in ways I am never confronted with in my daily life.  I love that he can simplify my concerns and priorities.  John Henry marches fourth as a 10 year old because he feels loved and supported, but this doesn't mean he has no worries.  Make sure you stop and ask some fun kid in your life how it is going.  You might be surprised with the answer.  Here's to my nephew.  My first interview for my new project: How do others March Fourth?  Oh, and I had to leave you with a proper photo.  

John Henry.  Future star.