Head and shoulders above the rest

"Chance awaits the prepared mind" is a quote that has been attributed to the famous Louis Pasteur. If you subscribe to this idea, then an individual will assess those opportunities and make the most of them; and the true measure of success then becomes how you deal with those opportunities. There are no exceptions. I know one young man who has been faced with his share of challenges, but he has overcome them for sure.

Since he is the youngest of his siblings, it was more difficult for him to break free of the apron strings, or at least for his mother. I do recall he had a rather severe case of separation anxiety, and no degree of Ferberizing seemed to make a difference. Consequently, his parents elected to give him an extra year to develop his personality and self confidence, and however difficult that was for his parents, the decision has proven well worth that wait.

However, what remains the most impressive accomplishment for this gentle giant was the remarkable resolve he demonstrated when he was faced with surgery to correct his scoliosis. The series of procedures were carried out over 2 days with little recovery between them. I will always remember seeing him in the hospital after the second operation, and he literally looked like a caravan of trucks had run over him. I think you get the picture, but during all this, he maintained his wit. When the nurses asked him how he was feeling as part of their assessment, he responded in his weakened voice by saying, "Taller." Of course this brought a smile to his parent's faces, for at that moment, they knew he would eventually recover from this major, life altering event.

How have these experiences impacted young Fredo? Only he knows for sure. However, as he has progressed through his formal education, he has, without question, matured into a delightful young man with a bright future ahead. He has made the most of his chances, but what this shows me is that he has come prepared, and maybe, just maybe, he owes his growth and stability to his parents and in part to those competent surgeons who made him just a bit taller. Happy Birthday you "taller" drink of water!