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When I Grow Up
by Rebekah King
“Pomp & Circumstance” has marched our
local graduates across many stages awarding
diplomas from Kindergarten to College Ph.D.s
and everything in between. Doesn’t that song
born over 100 years ago in 1901 by Sir Edward
Elgar played at graduations just send chills up
your spine, raise the hair on your arms, and
make your heart swell as you stand to honor
your loved one walking down the aisle right into
their future? We pass the Kleenex and remember
our own graduations shared with family
and friends. How could I ever forget my K-5
graduation which found me kneeling front and
center on the stage with a colored cardboard
flower tied to my head with ribbon! Ha! I was
the flower from the nursery rhyme, “Mary, Mary,
Quite Contrary, How does your Garden Grow?”
Truly the slow walk down the aisle becomes a
walk down memory lane as we remember our
lives intertwined in this universal moment.
In my world, a couple of graduations found
one son marching right out of high school and
into college and another from elementary to
middle school. Benjamin’s graduation from
high school culminated many life milestones
marking the end of a new beginning. Preparing
for his senior formalities in the senior formal,
display table, and other celebrations brought
mixed emotions as one tears up over
the sweet baby photos and laughs
over the funny personality shots.
From the sport’s trophies honoring
dedication on the field to the artwork
bearing a glimpse into his soul, the
treasures presented represent a life
well-lived!
While my responsibilities gathered
the happy glimpses of childhood,
Benjamin’s included figuring out his
next step into this brave new world.
Privileged with an entire community
of cheerleaders from parents to
grandparents, school teachers and
youth leaders who encourage them
onward for 18 years, our youth
benefit. However it seems that all of
a sudden, a young person goes from
the normal routine to an explosion
of choices as the whole world opens
up. Things get real real fast as seniors
prepare their bio for the bulletin wherein they
find the words to formulate an answer to the
universal pondering, “When I grow up, I want to be...”
We all want to know. Everyone wants to
know. The question begins early on in childhood
and continues with favorite classes, inspiring
teachers and Saturday afternoon hobbies that
shape answers along the way. For some, the
pathway from dependence to independence
comes easy. They know. They just know as they
were born with singular purpose; their careers
easily settle into sync. For others such as
myself... we question the answer decades later.
I mean really—how on earth could anyone ever
settle on one career choice?!?! From early on, my
interests included becoming a doctor, a nurse,
a teacher, a vet, an airline stewardess, a truck
driver—why not travel America while getting
paid?! Ha!
What a sense of humor life unfolds for those
of us who have no clue what they want to be
when they grow up. In looking back, I realize
that my two favorite pastimes which held the
most emotion interestingly have come full
circle. Remembering the joy found in playing
outside and transforming forts into “home”
with my sisters became the greatest adventure
as the sweet-smelling purple wisteria became
grapes, acorns veggies, pine cone scales chicken
strips, the red leaf clover my salad, and the
wildflowers always the centerpiece. Sharpened
sticks sliced the mud pies for dessert while the
song of the birds became the surround sound
in my gourmet kitchen formed of pallets and
pine straw. Warm sunlight captured my heart
and soul in my simple world of play that has
since blossomed into daily life. In establishing
a home, I’m privileged to life all over again with
my sons.
Another childhood favorite found me sitting
on the steps at the Bookstore reading the used
books that Lynne collected. As the stories
expanded my little world confined within a
couple mile radius of Southern Pines, so too my
imagination! Oh to tell such stories, to choose
the words to create such masterpieces—never in
my wildest dreams did I ever think becoming a
writer was even possible! However in becoming
a writer, I’m able to experience all sorts of
careers through immersion into my clients’
worlds. In telling the stories, my favorite part of
every interview becomes the personal questions
uncovering all of “their favorites”—you know the
favorites that bring an instant smile, a sparkle to
the eyes, and proof that dreams really do come
true! Somehow in the dreaming, we don’t always
realize that we are living the dream!
Everyone has a story, and those living
their authentic purpose always become an
inspiration. What fun it is to discover what
others wanted to be when they were little and
realize what they became. Those such as Bill
Sahadi of Fore Properties who wanted to be
a teacher now sells real estate while hosting/
producing “All Things Moore County” a local
radio show—he lives true to his spirit always
mentoring others no matter the venue. And Mr.
D.A. Kelly who loved sports so much he wanted
to be a coach ended up with a private label of
women’s clothing to selling used furniture when
the mills went overseas. From football to fashion
to furniture, Mr. Kelly’s life has unfolded over 50
years of fulfillment in a life well-lived. To Joe at
Star Ridge Aquatics, LLC who wanted to be a
race car driver—he now owns a nursery offering
tropical plants, exotic fish and water gardens.
Just for fun, I asked other locals what they
wanted to be when they grew up...
Anna White tells, “I wanted to be a teacher
and a mom. And because I homeschool my
children, I’m living my best life.”
Mary Ellen Cox shares, “I always wanted
babies and a white wedding gown. But I wanted
to be a nurse and take care of my dollies. I ended
up being in X-ray for 28 years and loved taking
care of my patients. God was gracious to grant
my desires of my heart.”
Lauren Tozour Pace laughs, “When I was in
3rd grade, I told my teacher I wanted to be a bank
teller. Why?? So I could eat all the lollipops!”
Kelly Silverstruck-Kiser says, “I wanted to
work at the bank just like my grandma did
because I love anything to do with numbers.
I’m proud to be a part of the First Bank team in
Southern Pines!”
Shelley Jenkins laughs, “I wanted to drive
a Popsicle truck so that I could eat all the
Popsicles! Now I am a Conservator for those who
struggle in life.”
Holly Johnson shares, “I really wanted to
be a nurse until I realized how much I hated
science! Then I decided a teacher was the best
profession for me. As a teenager, I secretly
wanted to be a lawyer because I loved mysteries,
and I was pretty good at arguing my point. Now
that I’m a stay-at-home mom, I’m all three! Plus
about 10 more: baker, chef, maid, cleaning lady,
laundress, taxi driver, counselor, referee, etc.”
Shannon Hudson Deese remembers, “I
had no idea what I wanted to be as a child. It
wasn’t until my teen years that I
experienced an attempted suicide
by one of my close friends which
changed everything. Fast forward
to college. I knew I wanted to do
something in the medical field but
was still unsure of what direction
when my dad encouraged me to be
a nurse. Parents can give very sage
advise because they see the traits and
characteristics in their children that
maybe we don’t see in ourselves. My
dad also encouraged me to pursue
a career in which I could make a
good income and take care of myself
financially. Seventeen years later I’m
still nursing! And I have been able to
enjoy the flexibility to be home with
my kids.”
James Zell remembers, “I wanted
to be a barber, but I was a roofer,
a construction worker, an infantryman, a
mechanic, a roofer again, a framer again, and
finally at 31 years of age God blessed me with
the opportunity to open my own barbershop!”
Check out Headquarters Barbershop and Shave
Lounge in Whispering Pines.
For all of the graduates who find themselves
in limbo, please know the best is yet to come!
Sure it’s scary signing up for college life away
from the comforts of home, choosing a major
from the online catalog, and wanting so badly
to make the right decision. Everything is going
to be OK no matter what! I’m sure of it because
during my interviews, I am also privileged to ask
another question— “In looking back over your
life, would you change anything?” Unanimously
the answer remains, “No! I wouldn’t change a
thing!” Isn’t that AMAZING!? Both the confusing
days and the confirming days follow the perfect
path in answering the longing of our hearts.
Ultimately the universal answer becomes,
“When I grow up, I will look back on my life
and understand what truly was meant to be!”
Incredibly, we all look back and discover that we
were living our purpose every single day.
All of the adults whom you think have it all
figured out—they don’t! We don’t! No matter
the calling, the college, the career, somehow
we travel the right decision. Until then, be true
to YOUR spirit. Listen to that still small voice.
Realize what makes YOU smile. Live the purpose
that drives YOUR thoughts. Discover the dreams
that are all YOUR own. Summon the courage to
live YOUR life. Choose JOY! And most especially
enjoy your summer as truly the pomp and
circumstance has only just begun! ☐
No. 135 The Pinehurst Gazette, Inc. p.3