Yesterday was a picture-perfect day for a golf tournament in Hockley Valley, Ontario. I was invited to participate in the 75th annual Father and Three Sons event held this year at Hockley Valley Resort. The golf, food, scenery and weather conspired to make the day most memorable. It was the theme of the tournament and the meaning behind it that proved most inspirational. There were generations of families whose involvement in the tourney went back the full 75 years (sons, fathers, grandfathers...great grandfathers). For some, this tournament means literally, the only occasion in which brothers and fathers can "hook up" during the year as families are spread throughout the globe. I was invited by my uncle, Mario Adamo (my father's youngest brother) . I golfed with three people I had never met before. The course provided the usual challenge, duffs, lost balls, laughs. Most of the day's conversation revolved around family-how many kids? names? how long has your family been part of this?
Although I remember him every single day, I somehow felt that I had spent the day with my father Ilio Adamo who passed on January 17,2007.
Pietro's godson, Giuliano, invited his godparents to his belt ceremony. He was to achieve his second degree brown belt in karate. After the testing, it was evident that he wasn't quite ready to move on. Needless to say, Giuliano was quite upset. This had never happened to him before. After all, his godparents were in attendance. Pietro, or Compare Pete as he calls him, had some words of wisdom and encouragement for the young "grasshopper". His words, in essence were of encouragement and determination. His words made all the difference - words that resonated within me as well. These words helped me reflect on my past setbacks and how they drove me forward, more determined than before. Later, over ice cream, Pietro and I talked of the importance of taking creative risks and how most often it's the setbacks, not the successes, that drive us to be better. Yet, encouragement from outside ourselves is always helpful to prop up our weakened self-esteem. As I soon return to the classroom in which Pietro taught me, I will continue to encourage my art students to take creative risks and explore their potential. I will encourage them to PRODUCE!
ReplyDelete