“Mom’s my #1 supporter!”

My 18 year old son called this out from our family room to the kitchen, where I was working. He was referring to a heated game of ping pong he was playing with my husband. Ping pong has been a respite for him (my son) (or... maybe both of them!) during Covid. A way to let off some steam between online classes, during the now "boring" weekends, and when moments of frustration flare. Something to hit in a productive way, and most of the time, end up better on the other side.

We have a smaller ping pong table that is clear lucite - a gift my husband bought for himself at least 10 years ago. Its purchase was a surprise to me, but now, that hardly matters. Having this "fancy" ping pong table has brought loads of joy, laughter and free therapy into our house.

But I digress: I am my son's #1 supporter, and that's the message here today. 

During Covid, my son has lost his school mojo but gained so many other skills. He's a talented photographer, videographer and editor and doing that work - that "real work" - has brought him much positivity. He has long used technology to produce, not consume. While he does the passive-zone-out-scrolling thing, he's usually more deeply engaged with tech, watching an advanced tutorial on how to use a new piece of software or a review of a lens.

Early this year, he announced he was being interviewed for a podcast and "leave him alone for an hour." I was slightly impressed, but then immediately distracted by work and never even followed up with him. A few weeks later, he slid the link into our family's group chat. I immediately volunteered to take the dog for a walk, and put my headphones on, thinking this would be awkward and cute, and I'd hear the story of his first camera.

But no.

Not at all.

My son was the expert being interviewed here. 

He told stories I hadn't heard about getting into the field.

He explained his art, his science, his process, in language that was new to me.

He carefully unpacked how he was teaching himself new techniques through risk-taking and repetition.

The podcast hosts fawned over him a bit: "How did he know and do all this amazing creating, still in high school? What did he want to do next?"

I turned the corner to walk the dog an extra loop to hear his response.

He took the compliment quietly and shared his struggle about what does come next.

I listened to him share with strangers/the world about college vs. a year off (or a year "on" of creating). Get advice from the hosts. Consider their input, but not overcommit to their ideas.

The show wrapped up and I swiped at my eyes with the back of my glove.

What a tremendous gift these podcast hosts have given me: a new view of my son - an expert, a creator, a thinker. An artist sharing his journey, techniques and hopes for the future.

And here I am: his #1 supporter.