When she brought it home, her little eyes alight with delight at having homework, she enthusiastically showed me "how it had to be done". So we set to work putting all her likes and dislikes on the poster, and filling in her age and name. Spiders, ghosts and various vegetables graced the dislike section, and spaghetti, puppies and the color orange adorned the favorites area. Our family portrait, as drawn by Miss S, proudly stood out at the top of the page.
When it came time to do her 'What I want to be...' section, I asked her questions about what she wanted to be, like a veterinarian, rodeo girl, or a chef. You see, she loves animals and horses so much, and is always watching Food TV, so I thought these definite contenders for top job. Boy, was I wrong!
She turned her long-lashed gaze up to me, solemnly patted my face like I was senile, and stated in her matter-of-fact voice that she wanted to be a "house seller."
"I want to be a house seller like you mommy. I want to give people homes who don't have one."
You could've knocked me over with a feather when she said that. I couldn't speak, not utter one word. I wordlessly picked up the crayons she directed me to, drew her little person and a house with a 'For Sale' sign in the front. Her little head bobbing in satisfaction, she told me my drawing "would do" for her class.
She proudly displays her poster at school, giving me credit for more powers than any parent could ever dream of having. You see, I am a real estate broker, I find those houses for people who want one and help others sell their homes. I can't leap buildings or stop speeding trains or anything special like that, I just listen. I listen to what my client(s) hopes and dreams are, I listen so I can get to know them.
Yet sometimes I wonder what it would be like to be that superhero she dreams of...
