Readers of this blog know the challenges my husband and I have faced with with our oldest son, John. John has ADD and in the past this condition has hindered him quite a bit. He was a reluctant reader and viewed reading as punishment or a chore. However, within the past year, his attitude has improved dramatically. He enjoys reading now, loves taking trips to the bookstore, etc. His overall attitude has improved drastically!
However, it wasn’t until recently that I really saw this improvement in action. Recently, John was tasked with coming up with a talent to present at a family reunion. John and his father decided that his talent would be to recite Obama’s “Yes We Can Speech.” John’s grandmother has frequently mentioned that he resembles Obama, so this talent seemed perfect. Now I admit, I didn’t think he’d be able to do it. I didn’t think he would be dedicated enough to be able to do what it takes to learn this speech and to perform it well. Boy, was I wrong.
John presented this speech with so much emotion, enthusiasm, that it gave me goosebumps. Listening to him recite this powerful speech left me feeling so much pride I thought I would literally explode. So, without further ado, John’s recitation of Obama’s Yes We Can!
Gives you goosebumps, doesn’t it!? However, this has reminded me to be proud of the small achievements as well as the monumental ones, for the little steps are a pathway to the big steps.
Tags: Adventures in Parenting
Twitter: topazshell5
says:
Wonderful! I’m so proud of him. I know you are very proud. Amazing.
He was fantastic! You need to send that to the White House!
Bravo John!
This is so awesome! Sounds like he is going to be a very powerful speaker himself one day! Great job.
Awesome! I loved it and saw it in person! What a talented young man!
Wow !! WTG John !!
Yes, you DO NEED to send it to Obama for him to see for sure !
Twitter: Perednia
says:
Absolutely wonderful! Cheers to John!
Good job, sending it to the White House (with the story) is a great idea
Jenn that was fantastic. You should be really proud he did an amazing job. Hmm perhaps the future president is right in front of us. John you did a fantastic job BRAVO!!!
Twitter: picky_girl
says:
Wow. I am totally, 100% impressed. And you’re right – I do have goosebumps. I love that speech, and I love the truths behind it.
Twitter: BethFishReads
says:
Wow! My eyes welled up. John did such an excellent job.
Twitter: jennbookshelves
Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 9:29 AM
Thanks! He recited it for me one day as we drove home. I literally thought I was going to have to pull over; my eyes welled up with tears. We’re working on his eye contact…but he’s definitely got some talent!
Twitter: michelleerin
says:
That was pretty awesome. Are we getting a glimpse of a future president?
Twitter: jennbookshelves
Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 9:29 AM
I think so
If not President, he’ll definitely be running for some sort of office. A politician in the making!
Way to go John! And Mom!
Twitter: stiletostrytime
says:
Way to go John! And you too Jenn…I am so glad he is warming up to reading…he is at such a critical age for that and boys are often the hardest in my experience as a children’s librarian to get excited about books! Congrats…my son’s first name is John as well by the way…but we call him by the middle because Daddy is John too!