A Sketch of Encouragement

Last night, my son asked if he has art class the next day because he knows it’ll be Wednesday. I asked if he still wants to continue the classes. He said no. When I asked why, he just said he was getting tired. It was his normal answer whenever he doesn’t want to do something we asked him to do. I can’t exactly remember what kept us from pursuing the conversation but we both got distracted and forgot all about it that night.

This morning, he asked me again if he has art class. Again he told me he doesn’t want to anymore. When I asked why, his answer (and more so the underlying personality for it) surprised me. My son said, “Kasi pangit po ang drawing ko sabi ni Tito Sky”. Tito Sky is the new alias of my Tito Rudy, a family friend and my former teacher in the same basic visual arts class around 20 years ago. I take no offense at whatever Tito Sky said because between him and me, he’s the expert in art. And besides, Tito Sky already expressed his observation of IE --- in that my son was talented but he was impatient and rushed his works. Thus, the reason I was bothered was my son’s “quitter” attitude.

I took a deep breath and started to dress up for work. Then, I asked IE to sit down with me at our table. Calmly, I told him that I believe that he draws well, and his lolo (who’s also talented in the visual arts) thinks he’s gifted in that area; and that, as his mommy, he has to believe what I say (kinda authoritarian, but the situation calls for it). Then he said he was getting tired (his usual alibi) already. So I said, “Kailangan maniwala ka kay Mommy. Magaling kang mag-drawing, anak. Kung sinabi ni Tito Sky na pangit ang drawing mo, eh di dapat galingan mo sa susunod. Ipakita mo na magaling ka.”

Then I asked him “Di ba gusto mong maging pilot at race car driver?” At this, he got quite excited. He said, “No, I want to be a spaceman and a pilot.” I smiled and said, “Kung gusto mong maging spaceman at pilot, kailangan magaling ka sa mga ginagawa mo. Dapat may dream ka --- yung gusto mong maging. Kita mo ang mga pulubi, kaya sila ganun, kasi tinatamad sila. Ang sabi nila, ‘ay, ayoko mag-aral at magtrabaho, manghihingi na lang ako ng pera’. Kaya ganun sila. Gusto mo bang maging katulad nila?”

Of course, he said no, and I saw that he was quite convinced. Whatever part of him was discouraged due to the negative comment on his work regained its confidence. So I told him that he has to do better in his art class and not to rush. Then I prepared his breakfast and asked him to take a bath and ready himself as I am about to accompany him to the art studio for his class. He was again his happy self as we drove to the art supplies store and bought a new box of oil pastels and gum eraser. When we arrived at the studio, I paid for the next 10 sessions of the class. My son pointed at the blue motorcycle parked outside the studio, saying, “Kay Tito Sky yun o.” So we went up to the art studio and he sat down at his desk. I talked to Tito Sky and said goodbye to my son. He shouted back happily, “Bye Mommy!” And I smiled, knowing that this morning, I made a big difference in my son’s life. I thank God for the opportunity and the guidance to do what I just did, and I hope to continue to be God’s instrument in forming this precious gift of His to be the best he can be.

12-May-2010 / 218pm