The Mystery in a Masterpiece

Little girl in your daughter's dance class. 
Brown eyes and angelic face. 
A confidence that upstages your darling.
A prodigy in lace. 
Sure she's cute, perfect smile,
her poise should be a crime. 
But does the instructor have to choose her to lead
every single time?

Young boy in a crowded arena
leaning forward on the cracked seat back.
In front of him, his idols glide,
he's hypnotized by the hungry pack.
Back and forth, ice shavings fly,
The thrill, the scores, the flight.
A future star athlete's dreams
any second will ignite.

The child who makes up stories.
The one who draws funny faces.
The kid who steals his lunch money
from the kid with the freckles and braces.
The child who cries at surprises.
The one who stutters when speaking.
The girl who quietly writes in her diary,
and the curious boy who's peaking.

A future president, a doctor
A world renown chef, a lawyer
A CEO, an artist
A business owner and employer.
No one knew as unproven novices
the champions they'd grow up to be.
But no matter how small or great their roles,
would we have treated them differently?

When nurturing our beloved children,
great minds are being inspired.
Small hopes become big dreams,
so may your patience never grow tired.
For you're swiftly creating the future--
what they'll attempt, how they'll believe.
Listen, awaken, and years from now,
we'll all live what they achieve.

-Karen Rinella 2013