On The Rebound
The Son: (Calling home from The Institute of Culinary Education School )
Hey dad, I didn’t expect for you to answer the phone. Where is mom? I really need to speak to her. I called her cell. She is not answering. Is she there?
The Dad: (Excitedly)
Hey son, how are ya. I miss you, I was just thinking about you! How is culinary school going? How is New York? Mom isn’t here. She’s out shopping with the girls. I believe she left her cell phone here by accident. Call back later. She should be home in a little while.
The Son: (Anxiously)
Okay, thanks dad!
(The son calls the dad back in exactly 10 minutes.)
The Son: (Desperately)
Dad! Is mom back yet? I really need her right now!
The Dad:
Mom isn’t back yet son, what’s the problem? What’s wrong? I can hear it in your tone. What’s going on! Maybe I can help.
The Son:
I need mom for this one! I just need mom! I don’t think you’ll be able to help me. Do you know if she went to the mall down the street from our house or did she go to a bunch of different stores?
The Dad:
Well, just trust me son! Tell me what’s wrong! I know I am not mom but I will try my best to help you tackle your problem.
The Son:
I have finals in 2 days dad. I am not ready! I can’t do it! My team doesn’t believe in me. I get so nervous when I have to prepare my dishes. I was chosen to be the leader of our team and I'm the youngest. Every time it’s my turn to help prepare our dishes for our final, I continue to drop all the flour. I’ve broken so many plates. I don’t know what‘s wrong with me. I don’t think I want to do this anymore. I don’t think this is for me. I need mom…she’ll know how to help me.
The Dad:
You don’t need your mother. As your father, I am not going to pacify you, son. How long have you been cooking?
The Son:
I’ve been cooking since I was about 4 years old.
The Dad:
Exactly, you are extraordinary in your passion. You were born to be a chef, son. This has been your dream for so long! Your mother and grandmother taught you how to make homemade meals at an early age. You took interest in culinary at an early age. You are a leader! Unlike some kids, you knew how to prepare gourmet food at 10 years old. Do you know some adults can’t do what you do? Think about all the awards you’ve won in high school and in the community.
The Son:
I know but it’s the finals! I really need to ameliorate my technique. I have to focus on originality, presentation and taste. I can’t be dropping flour and breaking plates…very embarrassing. This is for our grade. My team is depending on me dad!
The Dad:
Maybe I need to remind you just who you are. Remember you can do all things when you put your mind to it. Don’t forget to lean on your faith. You’ve been disciplined for this moment since you were a child, son. There is no way you’re going to give up and quit. We didn’t raise you to be a coward. If you allow yourself to stop, every time this life throws you a hard ball, you will quit! Do you remember the time you tried out for little league baseball and could not pitch? You wanted to quit but I didn’t let you. What did you do?
The Son:
I do remember that. I practiced until I built up my confidence and I did it!
The Dad:
Yes, you believed that you could do it! When you believed, you acted on it and you did it! I believe in you because I know what you are capable of. Do you really think your mom and I would invest all of our money into one of the top culinary schools if we didn’t think for one second that you couldn’t do this?
The Son: (Smiling)
No! You’re very frugal dad.
The Dad:
All you have to do now is take a deep breath into some belief; practice on believing in yourself son. That plate won’t break and that flour won’t spill any more. You have something special in you that will help you bounce back. Do you remember when we use to play tennis as a family and you would always throw your balls really hard?
The Son:
Yes, I was crazy over tennis balls for some reason.
The Dad:
What happen when you threw the tennis ball very hard?
The Son:
It would bounce right back no matter how hard I threw it.
The Dad:
Exactly, so now it’s your turn to bounce back. Life isn’t easy. You will have your good days and some bad days. It’s all mental, son. Keep your mind healthy. Keep your attitude positive and you will always bounce back; no matter the test or trial.
The Son:
Thanks, dad! Thanks so much for that! I will call you back in 2 days with my victory!
The Dad:
Hey you’re welcome, son. I expect nothing less but the victory in your favor. Thanks for trusting me to help you. I told ya I could.
Inspiration and encouragement may be forsaken by others but not by YOU! Thank you! We all need it!
The Son: (Calling home from The Institute of Culinary Education School )
Hey dad, I didn’t expect for you to answer the phone. Where is mom? I really need to speak to her. I called her cell. She is not answering. Is she there?
The Dad: (Excitedly)
Hey son, how are ya. I miss you, I was just thinking about you! How is culinary school going? How is New York? Mom isn’t here. She’s out shopping with the girls. I believe she left her cell phone here by accident. Call back later. She should be home in a little while.
The Son: (Anxiously)
Okay, thanks dad!
(The son calls the dad back in exactly 10 minutes.)
The Son: (Desperately)
Dad! Is mom back yet? I really need her right now!
The Dad:
Mom isn’t back yet son, what’s the problem? What’s wrong? I can hear it in your tone. What’s going on! Maybe I can help.
The Son:
I need mom for this one! I just need mom! I don’t think you’ll be able to help me. Do you know if she went to the mall down the street from our house or did she go to a bunch of different stores?
The Dad:
Well, just trust me son! Tell me what’s wrong! I know I am not mom but I will try my best to help you tackle your problem.
The Son:
I have finals in 2 days dad. I am not ready! I can’t do it! My team doesn’t believe in me. I get so nervous when I have to prepare my dishes. I was chosen to be the leader of our team and I'm the youngest. Every time it’s my turn to help prepare our dishes for our final, I continue to drop all the flour. I’ve broken so many plates. I don’t know what‘s wrong with me. I don’t think I want to do this anymore. I don’t think this is for me. I need mom…she’ll know how to help me.
The Dad:
You don’t need your mother. As your father, I am not going to pacify you, son. How long have you been cooking?
The Son:
I’ve been cooking since I was about 4 years old.
The Dad:
Exactly, you are extraordinary in your passion. You were born to be a chef, son. This has been your dream for so long! Your mother and grandmother taught you how to make homemade meals at an early age. You took interest in culinary at an early age. You are a leader! Unlike some kids, you knew how to prepare gourmet food at 10 years old. Do you know some adults can’t do what you do? Think about all the awards you’ve won in high school and in the community.
The Son:
I know but it’s the finals! I really need to ameliorate my technique. I have to focus on originality, presentation and taste. I can’t be dropping flour and breaking plates…very embarrassing. This is for our grade. My team is depending on me dad!
The Dad:
Maybe I need to remind you just who you are. Remember you can do all things when you put your mind to it. Don’t forget to lean on your faith. You’ve been disciplined for this moment since you were a child, son. There is no way you’re going to give up and quit. We didn’t raise you to be a coward. If you allow yourself to stop, every time this life throws you a hard ball, you will quit! Do you remember the time you tried out for little league baseball and could not pitch? You wanted to quit but I didn’t let you. What did you do?
The Son:
I do remember that. I practiced until I built up my confidence and I did it!
The Dad:
Yes, you believed that you could do it! When you believed, you acted on it and you did it! I believe in you because I know what you are capable of. Do you really think your mom and I would invest all of our money into one of the top culinary schools if we didn’t think for one second that you couldn’t do this?
The Son: (Smiling)
No! You’re very frugal dad.
The Dad:
All you have to do now is take a deep breath into some belief; practice on believing in yourself son. That plate won’t break and that flour won’t spill any more. You have something special in you that will help you bounce back. Do you remember when we use to play tennis as a family and you would always throw your balls really hard?
The Son:
Yes, I was crazy over tennis balls for some reason.
The Dad:
What happen when you threw the tennis ball very hard?
The Son:
It would bounce right back no matter how hard I threw it.
The Dad:
Exactly, so now it’s your turn to bounce back. Life isn’t easy. You will have your good days and some bad days. It’s all mental, son. Keep your mind healthy. Keep your attitude positive and you will always bounce back; no matter the test or trial.
The Son:
Thanks, dad! Thanks so much for that! I will call you back in 2 days with my victory!
The Dad:
Hey you’re welcome, son. I expect nothing less but the victory in your favor. Thanks for trusting me to help you. I told ya I could.
Inspiration and encouragement may be forsaken by others but not by YOU! Thank you! We all need it!
