Scarlett’s school had a very special visitor this week. The legendary Jane Goodall came to speak to the students about realizing her childhood dreams of traveling to Africa to live among wild animals. This is seriously so cool, and among the parent group (who was not invited), the general consensus is that the girls have no idea how lucky they are to have met such an amazing woman.

Scarlett has a great book called Who is Jane Goodall? (thanks Emily G!), and she and I sat down to read it last night. Scarlett was particularly interested in a story about Jane digging up earthworms, then bringing them home and putting them under her pillow so she could sleep with them. Scarlett looked at me with wide eyes. Actually, so did Rob, who immediately interjected with something along the lines of I hope that never happens here, as if by merely reading this passage, I was encouraging Scarlett to snuggle up with live bait.

“That will never happen here,” I assured him. “Jane’s mother explained to her that the worms needed to be in their own homes, and Jane put them back in the garden because she was a good listener.”

Scarlett ignored us, which is one of her finest skills.

We continued reading the fascinating story about young Jane’s first trip to Africa to meet the chimpanzees who would become the center of her life and studies. Scarlett told me that the real Jane Goodall shared a story with the girls about her first stuffed toy chimpanzee Jubilee, who she still has at home. He’s too old now to travel.

So just one more time, real quick. My 5-year-old met Jane Goodall. That happened.

I loved talking to Scarlett about this adventurous young girl who made her dreams come true even though it wasn’t easy. It reminded me that I don’t have to be THE representative for all of her future options. That her inspiration, motivation, and personal goals don’t need to come from me or Rob. She will have plenty of figures in her life, whether she knows them personally or reads about them in a book, who can help guide her on the path that’s right for her.

It’s kind of an obvious thing to realize (that everything is not about me), but it made me feel good. Who knows what my daughter will do in the future? I just hope it is something fulfilling, something that makes her happy. It would be great if it was also something that made the world a better place in a big or small way. No pressure there, just thinking maybe not a bank robber or anything else in finance. Kid-ding, finance friends.

I think the best thing about hearing from someone like Jane Goodall is that young kids get the message that if they work hard and stay focused, they will have a better chance of reaching their goals. Although Jane knew what she wanted to do with her life when she was 10 years old, and she never wavered. This might be unusual.

When I was 10 years old, I just wanted to marry River Phoenix and have four daughters named Opal, Pearl, Ruby, and Emerald. No amount of hard work or focus could have resulted in that happening, but luckily I was flexible enough to adjust my plans.

I always wanted to be a role model for Scarlett, but I know I won’t be the only one. The world is wide open to her, and she is so full of ideas already. Maybe she’ll know what she wants to do at age 10. Maybe it will take longer. But when she does decide, I believe she’ll know what it requires to reach her goals. Things like perseverance, courage, curiosity. And maybe an old stuffed animal, just to remind her where she came from.

Share this post on your social platform