Dawn's Notes
The "I-Can-Do-It" Kid - January 2024
by Dawn Phelps, RN/LMSW
Will Thomas is our youngest grandchild, and he is now eighteen years old. Even as a very young child, he was a real "I-can-do-it" kid. He is the last of four children, and the doctor was not sure if he would make it into this world due to multiple complications before birth.
But he made it, weighing in at 9 pounds and 6 ounces, and has been thriving ever since! We have been amazed at his “can-do” attitude even when he was a little tike. He would run around the house in his red-towel Superman cape, exclaiming to his father Bryan, "Hey, Daddy, watch me fly!" My husband and I sometimes took care of Will, and we would take him to our local café for breakfast. He really liked to go! He would hurry to open the door for us, stating, "I can do it!"
After breakfast, he enjoyed going to the post office to see Carl, the post master. He would say “I can do it” as he pushed the handicapped door opener. When inside, he looked for our mailbox, Box 188, and he learned how to put the key in the mailbox to get the mail. At home, he said, “I can do it" when it was time to feed the fish, and he fed them hefty amounts of food if not watched carefully. He could count and knew how to bargain. If I told him I would buy him one thing, he would bargain for two. If I gave him two cookies, he would bargain for four.
He is not afraid to try new things. One day when we were at the café, we watched him work very hard to spoon jelly from a small container onto his toast. He had to concentrate, scoop slowly, and work very hard with his wide little hands. But he did it—that "I-can-do-it" kid!
Will is now eighteen years old. He is in college in an honors music program and wants to someday teach music. He is a well-mannered, hard-working, kind, young man who makes good grades and practices his music. He shows determination to do well in life!
I have thought about why some of us look at life and decide we can accomplish things, while others give up. In observing Will Thomas, perhaps there are a combination of things—genetics, inborn curiosity, or maybe learned curiosity.
Maybe is because his parents encouraged him, or his own successes re-fueled his "I-can-do-it" confident attitude. Or perhaps it is due to Will's own unique personality—we will never know for sure.
We anticipate young children will be excited to try new things. But what about those of the "older generation?” Can’t they too remain excited about life and keep their eyes open for new adventures?
Maybe you have heard of Nola Ochs who returned to college at Ft. Hays University in Kansas after her husband died. She had always wanted to finish college—she must have had an “I can do it” attitude similar to Will.
After her husband died, Nola went back to college in 2007. She graduated at the age of 95, setting a new world record as the oldest graduate. She received her master degree in history at 98. She continued taking classes until the age of 100 before returning to live at the family farm in western Kansas.
Nola is a remarkable example for older citizens! She died on December 9, 2016, at the age of 105. She was still working on her memoirs at the time of her death, and her story lives on to inspire other seniors.
You may not have any interest in returning to school, and maybe you have already accomplished all the goals on your “bucket list.” But if you still have some things you want to accomplish, big or small, why not give them a try? You may be surprised at what you can still do.
Life is a gift—live each day well! By God's grace, each day the sun will rise and set, and we will be one day older, no matter what.
“Instead of giving myself reasons why I can’t,
I give myself reasons why I can.”
- Author unknown
Life may have thrown you some curve balls. Perhaps you are dealing with health challenges or a loved one has died. Perhaps you are stressed for other reasons. Life can dish out some tough stuff! But you can make it, even after a loss. Hearts can heal. Life can be good again! So don’t give up hope!
What we do with our circumstances is up to each of us. New situations may present new challenges as well as new opportunities to grow. You may have growing pains, but growing pains do not last.
So go take on life! What do you have to lose? Take a deep breath, and hold you head up high. Like Will Thomas, put on your red-towel cape and say, "Hey, I can do it! Just watch me fly!"
Call about the next "Living Life after Loss" Group at:
Meadowlark Hospice
709 Liberty, Clay Center, Kansas
(785) 632-2225
Dawn Phelps, RN/LMSW, Group Facilitator