For the August 30, 2021 KGUA radio Morning Writer’s Hour hosted by Mark Gross and Peggy Berryhill in Gualala, California, we are asked to freewrite on What pearl of wisdom do you have for us?

My pearl is for our grandchildren, Owen, Max, Brooks, Reese, and Charlotte,
It comes from Davy Crockett, the King of the Wild Frontier.
I’ll begin with a truth about your parents that you might not know.
I’ve seen your parents in action. They’re good, I mean really good. They are involved parents and love being your mom and dad. Truth be told, they are exhausted by nightfall. But it’s a good exhausted!
They are doing what they can so others will want to be around you. They want you to be thoughtful, confident without being arrogant; that you also listen and think of others. They want to instill in you a passion for life and being responsible stewards of our planet.
Notice I said nothing about your grades or your SAT scores. Rather, they encourage you to ask questions and regularly they validate your feelings. I told you they are good.

They are pretty cool, but they don’t get it right all the time. Who does? Certainly not your grandparents. You’ll disagree with them on a regular basis. But cut them some slack; bless their hearts, they are knocking themselves out for you.
Here’s a biggie. They don’t expect or want you to be perfect. They aren’t. They get that messing up is part of being a kid; fact is, it’s also a part of being an adult. They want you to learn to own your mistakes not make excuses. A sincere “I’m sorry” goes along way. Take your lumps and the consequences without whining. Despite how much fun a good whine can be.
So, no need to be perfect; swing for the fences and know that truth of Davy Crockett’s words – Some days you get the bear, and some days the bear gets you.
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