Thursday, October 29, 2015

Life Lessons from Double Daddy - Chapter 1

Well, not really Chapter 1...

Double Daddy has been dispensing wisdom since He-Twin and She-Twin arrived; but now, as our two are teens, the tales seem to be even more inspirational and impacting..and certainly worth documenting.

Paraphrasing my man...


"Once upon a time, back when Daddy was a broadcast producer for Circuit City, we would have our team travel and supervise the national TV commercial shoots coordinated by our advertising agency. Remember those spots with The Cars' song 'Just What I Needed?' "

[Nodding affirmation from the attentive teen twosome.]

On one of those particular shoots, we were working with a memorable young director. He was super attentive, super kind. Instead of just communicating with the agency folks who'd hired him (as many directors do), he regularly asked us, 'Do you think we got what you wanted with the shot?' He was so committed to making sure he did his best for what we wanted, and were paying for.

[Continued nodding affirmation from the attentive teen twosome.]

He was friendly and chatted easily in our 'down-time.' He told stories of how fresh out of college, he'd worked for landscaping crews.

Fellow workers would ask him, 'What are you planning to do for real?'

He'd respond, 'I'm going to make movies.'

'Pornos?' they'd counter.

[You can share these previously-edited types of details with teenagers...]

'No! Big action movies,' he'd respond...to his co-workers great amusement.

Double Daddy continued, "This joyful young director was elated to be working on a Circuit City commercial. He was getting the opportunity to do a job he loved, knowing his work would be seen nationwide. He did a great job technically and made everyone feel comfortable. I haven't forgotten that experience of being on-set with him."

[Rapt attention being paid by twins, even with TV droning in the background.]

"So what's the lesson? Always do your best. No matter what you are doing, be kind. Be communicative and genuinely enjoy what you are doing. People will remember you fondly, and you'll be successful."

[Important message for teens who daily need to choose between pleasant and pariah...]

Then, Daddy's epilogue:

"You know what's really wonderful about this story is that director, Zack Snyder, has gone on to make 'big action movies.' Have you guys heard of that movie '300?'

[Lots of enthusiastic nodding.]

That was Zack's. 'Man of Steel?' Zack's. The superhero movies coming out, 'Aquaman,' 'The Flash,' 'Batman vs. Superman,' and 'Suicide Squad?' All projects Zack is working on."

After the 'happily ever after' ending of Scott's tale, we all resumed TV watching and pre-bedtime shower taking. The true life lesson however wasn't lost on me, and I'm confident the kids got it, too.

The moral of the story: Whether you actually achieve your big dreams or don't, on the path toward your future, whatever it holds, be kind. Do your best. Treat others well. Therein is your 'success.' The rest is gravy.

Needless to say, the kids (and Double Daddy) would have been mortified had I grabbed my camera to capture the regaling in progress. ["M-o-o-o-o-m! Do you have to blog about everything?]

So here's an image from years gone by that reveals that when Daddy shares, twins listen. I do, too.


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2 comments:

MandyE (Twin Trials and Triumphs) said...

What a fantastic story, Cheryl! Thank you for sharing!

And I just said this morning, "It doesn't cost anything to be nice." Really. More people should try it. HA!

Happy Halloween to you and yours!

Cheryl Lage said...

Awwww, thanks Mandy! I like how you went for the positive with your children...ENCOURAGING them to be nice. :) Me, I just keep calling out the "rude"...I need to switch our focus! :) (Maybe that's part of why Double Daddy's tale stood out for me so. :) )

Happiest of Halloweens to you and yours, Dear Friend!