November 2nd, 2009
If you have been following this Halloween costuming saga, here’s the point. The “plan” of the leader worked. I found myself in Target, just hours before the blessed Trunk or Treating event last year, hoping that I could get myself out of my present predicament by finding the necessary materials to throw together carefully execute a Nacho Libre costume that gave the impression that I had planned it for months.
I must be doing something right in this life, for there, before my eyes in the girls department ( not a place I frequent with any regularity), were one lone pair of turquoise tights. They were even the right size. Could it be?!?
My next stop was women’s lingerie. I was practically choking back tears of relief, when, on yet another rack, were some women’s red stretch panties! The brand? “Xhilaration”. Thus summing up what I was feeling in that particular moment.
Armed with my recent purchase, I headed home to show dubious child #5, that I, indeed was a competent, capable and fearless leader. (Never mind about the organized part.)
It was still 90 degrees that evening when the event got under way.
It is most desirable when attempting to inspire individuals ( i.e.mentees) to new heights of leadership, that they internalize the principles of personal initiation, seek out desirable mentors, and problem solve to the best of their age-appropriate ability.
Let’s just say, that judging by the above photo of THIS year’s event; those skills were definitely in place…be they good, bad or indifferent.
When you are the youngest in a large family, you have several overriding life issues that when unchecked, become dominant life goals. Being in charge would be one of them. Of pretty much anything or anyone. Attempts at this are frequently executed.
Being the center of attention is also a plus, since you are generally IN the spotlight with one or more siblings.
We live in a racially diverse community. It is also a highly agricultural area. These demographics have produced a large migrant, Hispanic-based community, within our community.
Nacho Libre is well loved. A hero. An icon, if you will. Child #5 went last year with some serious doubts and left a celebrity.
And he didn’t sweat.
It became apparent that he had been doing his homework and mulling the above mentioned leadership principles over; when the subject recently came up regarding costumes for Halloween. Suffice it to say, that we have discovered that #5 could possibly handle some form of fame. He basks in his proverbial 15 minutes of it. He recanted how much he was loved last year, and decided he’d like to be two for two in this department.
He requested of me, the mentor to this whole mess situation, that I contact one of our friends that he had seen sporting a Nacho Libre mask. This, by the way is an adult. He was wanting to borrow it, so he could be “more authentic.”
Resourceful. Full of initiative. Practically a celebrity…at least in his own mind.
One happy, tired boy reported to me as he laid his head on the pillow, “Mom, sixty-five families asked to take a picture with me tonight. I counted.” ( Those numbers could be a stretch…I DIDN’T count… and he’s eight.)
“I love this costume.” ” I’m sorry that my tights won’t fit next year.”
Success….in more ways than one.
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