My book club, The Illiterati, recently finished reading "Just Kids" by Patti Smith. This book was such an inspiration to me. It is beautifully written and set in a grimy, romantic time of NYC that I love to read about. I read it at a time, also, when I have been thinking a lot about heroes. Female heroes for sure, but heroes for people at all. I was trying to think of whether or not I had any heroes when I was a kid and can't think of anyone I truly aspired to be. I was influenced by ideas and movements like any normal teenager (thank you Seattle grunge scene). I wore many bold colored bandanas about my jeans as a youngster thanks to Soliel Moon Frye. I even had a phase where I wanted to be the first female president and so started a table of all the most memorable positive actions the past presidents took and planned to combine them all into one super-heroesque lady president. But, I had no hero-no one person I emulated. I think about his now because I have a daughter and I wonder if she will have heroes and who they will be. More importantly, I wonder how she will be presented with people to think are cool. Reading Patti Smith's book, I was tickled by the idea of being surrounded by artists and musicians from the 60's and 70's. She wrote about them with such reverence, clear of any form of celebrity. Her meetings with, now, pretty well-known artists and personalities, inspired her to become better. It deepened her already admirable dedication to living as an artist. It feels different now, with stardom and celebrity being what it is. Would being surrounded by well know personalities make you want to be better at your craft? (I have been lucky enough to be supported by different creative communities at different times. Indeed, it inspires me to try harder and typing about it inspires me to appreciate it more).
What I am really interested in doing, is remembering to look around at the people who do awesome stuff all the time, and being open to being inspired by them. For instance, this summer, I was working in the the city and was commuting by bike again for the first time since my daughter was born (an inspiration in itself). On the Manhattan side of the Williamsburg Bridge, there was a lady traffic cop who blew my mind. She was amazing. Every day, during morning rush-hour, she stood in the middle of the street and energetically got everyone safely where they should be. She would walk in front of commercial trucks and stick her hand into eager drivers irritated faces without ever losing her temper or confident stature. As a biker, I trusted her completely. I thanked her every day, and every day she ignored me (I think once she rolled her eyes) which only made me love her more. She was my summer Urban Hero. And Patti Smith, as it turns out, is my new Published Hero. Maybe the idea of a hero is dated. But, as a mother and a teacher, I think it is important to bring attention to the people who inspire you to know what you like to do or what you think is interesting. I want kids to see that heroes don't have to be famous or even the best. Most people aren't. But a lot of people are awesome. We should tell them.
On that note, things I think are Awesome:
Lady Traffic Cop-Williamsburg Bridge
"Just Kids" by Patti Smith
"Poser" by Claire Dederer
"Great Melodies from Around" by Ben VonWildenhaus
The amazing man who carried all my things, including a stroller, off the bus even though it wasn't his stop (you rule!)
Things I am working on:
"Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother" by Amy Chua
My first 5K race: Miles for Midwives-http://miles4midwivesnyc.blogspot.com/
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.