While little kids probably don’t fully understand school spirit, they do get that these days are fun, and also help them begin to see they’re part of something bigger, part of a team.
The first pajama day at school, my son had his doubts.
He thought I was trying to pull a fast one on him, and send him to school as the only kid dressed in his sleepwear.
That might be a good one for April Fools’ Day, but even I’m not that mean.
I explained to him everyone would be in their pajamas, as I shoved a clean PJ shirt over his head. But he protested the whole time that he was still very much against it. In fact, it wasn’t until we pulled up in front of the school — and saw other kids, and even teachers in their pajamas — that he fully believed me.
Now he is more at ease with the whole spirit week idea. In fact, I’ve realized, in mere months’ time, he’s more at ease with himself.
One spirit day this week was career day, so students were supposed to dress as what they want to be when they grow up.
So I asked my son, “What do you want to be now when you grow up? Do you still want to be a paleontologist?”
“No (that’s so last year); I want to be Batman when I grow up.”
OK. This isn’t Halloween. So hopefully the school won’t think we’re just trying to take advantage of a dress up day.
But I knew if anyone asked him about it, he would tell them exactly what he told me.
“Yes, mom. Batman is real. (Obviously.) He came to my school this year.”
Alright then. How could anyone argue with that?
“He even brought his Batmobile.”
I should have figured part of the lure of being Batman is all the perks of the sophisticated gadgets that come with the job.
So I sent my son dressed up as Gotham City’s vigilante for career day. And while I didn’t see any other kids wearing superhero costumes — or really any costumes for that matter at all — as we pulled up to the school for drop off, my son jumped out of the car with enthusiasm.
I smiled at his courage, but I was pretty sure when I picked him up that day, I would find the Batman mask shoved down in the bottom of his backpack, once he realized most people didn’t want to be superheroes when they grow up.
But my heart melted as I saw my little masked Batman entering the gym that day. He was still fighting the good fight.
But why should I be surprised? Batman is fearless.
And driving home that day, the more I thought about it, the more I realized, why wouldn’t I want my son to be Batman when he grows up?
After all, Bruce Wayne really has no superhuman powers. He is just a regular guy trying to create justice in an unjust world. Sure, he has flaws; he has problems. But he is also well-traveled, skilled, smart, and persistent.
He’s had to study, work, and fight to be the crime crusader we all know today. While his methods are, perhaps, unconventional, his pursuit of justice and abolishment of evil is definitely inspirational.
I should only hope my son will never give up on his dreams, and continue to fight his way to the top, and live to be all of these things.
