Parents lead by example, help shape kids

As I sat at my usual lunch table this week, my friend and I had gotten on the topic of how well-rounded my dad was. She was telling me how she had used some of his prairie restoration work in her symposium and state FFA speech, to which I responded with the numerous other talents he possesses.
I went on with my day as normal not really thinking about the brief interaction I had earlier in the day. When I got home that afternoon and sat down for dinner with both of my parents, it occurred to me how truly lucky I am that both of my parents have a multitude of different assets.
For example, both my mom and my dad are incredibly talented musicians. My mom sang with a band in her twenties and has the voice of a 90s country angel and my dad has been playing guitar since he was a wee lad in junior high.
But, just from meeting them or knowing their careers, you’d never guess it. My dad is also a master chef and my mom makes some of the best Filipino food out there.
It made me think about how growing up, my siblings and I got to see all these different parts of our mom and dad and how it probably shaped our futures.
During my childhood is when I remember getting to see all the sides of my mom and dad. My dad would come home from a long day of planting or mapping to sit down and play a song by ear on his guitar. Or my mom would come from going on a run or throwing down at her crossfit gym to singing some of the most beautiful melodies while meandering around the house.
I can’t help but think that this is why my siblings and I are all a little unique in that way. For example, my brothers. Nolan is a big, tough veteran, but if you ask him about The Lord of the Rings series, he could tell you every single piece of lore about it and also give you book suggestions based on which book in the series is your favorite.
I think everyone in Aurora, at least, knows Cy as an athletic weapon of sorts. He loves all things sports, especially football and baseball. But he is also a farmer at heart. He loves being able to be out in the fields, getting his hands dirty, helping an operation run smoothly.
Even Ava has a duality to her at her young age. She’s similar to me in the fact that she loves performing. Her niche is dance, and she kills it on the stage. But she also is finding that she loves to throw down on the basketball court, too.
I feel a little silly talking about these things as if they’re revolutionary. I know they aren’t. It just intrigues me just how much my parents have influenced my siblings and I to travel many paths at once. Never did they force us to do anything, but simply encouraged us to try a multitude of different things.
I know for a fact that if my parents had never led by their own examples, I never would have gotten into as many things as I did. I’m so fortunate that my mom and dad always allowed us to be ourselves. When I wanted to go out for middle school track, my parents let me, and I learned that I’m one of the least athletic people ever. When I decided I was going to do speech and one-act my freshman year, they supported me fully. They had never been to a speech meet in their lives, but still loved the fact that I was finally finding my place.
All this to say, I’m so lucky to have parents who are unapologetically themselves. They taught my siblings and I to chase whatever makes us happy. Whether it’s a short phase, or a life-long pursuit, my mom and dad have always been by our sides.
EMMA BULLERMAN is a senior at Aurora High School and is a guest columnist.