Role Model

Where have all the decent role models gone?  There used to be a time when every self-respecting soul would have someone they looked up to, valued and wanted to be like.  There were actual reasons why we could hold these individuals in high esteem – like honesty, integrity and honor.  People who if we ever would come in contact with, which was a highly sought after adventure, would made us weak in the knees and empowered us to live up to our potential.  It was a whole package deal way back when and now we seem to be satisfied if we find someone whose hair we like and we yearn to emulate.

Not that I am saying that if my son decided that his role model was a rapper kind of dude with pants barely hanging on to his hips, his ball cap whoppyjawed, words mumbling and tumbling totally undecipherable from his chops and enough bling to blind, that I wouldn’t try to find the positive.  It just would be so much easier if this guy would submit a typed, double spaced resume that showed a track record of his personal constructive influence on society or indication that he had been caught red handed hugging a tree in full day light for all the paparazzi to witness.  Although, anything that would indicate who he really was under his hat and what he stood for would be fine for starters.

I am not sure kids even get asked now a days about who their role models may be and why.  There could be a reason for this… hmmmm, maybe the way some folks, who could and should qualify as the proverbial role model, have not shown the adequate credentials and fallen off the wagon, so to speak, and do not deserve to have the attention of thousands of star-struck kids who want to imitate every movement.  Not that any politician, sports mega-star, actor or religious person directly comes to my mind of those that are dubious.  And, in my opinion there needs to be a bit of clarification given over the confusion between idol and role model (to be honest, I may even have to be refreshed on this notion).  This is getting way too complicated – aaaah, to be transported to the simpler times when John Wayne, your mom, dad or a favorite teacher was the person who sat on top of the pedestal.

People of all ages should have a role model.  I am no exception.  When it was brought to my attention that a certain 58 year old singer, dancer and entertainer had more energy in her little finger than say, I have in my whole body, and that she had legs that wouldn’t quit (mine stopped a l – o – n – g time ago) and that she performed non-stop for 2 ½ hours with only one huff and two puffs, I felt a certain admiration swell up inside of me towards her.  Role model?  Maybe, because she certainly is doing something right if she is still happy doing what she loves 30 plus years after her career began.  That is something I truly hope I can say – but I better get a move on if I expect to have a passion that transcends time, that I can look back fondly upon, be proud of and think that maybe my son might notice and regard me worthy of being one of his role models.

Cynthia A. McClelland, curious observer of the obvious with interpretations of the oddities of daily life. Mother, wife and lover of the furry, resides in the north Lake Tahoe area.

Cynthia A. McClelland © 2003-