leo the late bloomer
Have you ever read the novel “Leo the Late Bloomer?” It has rave reviews on goodreads:
“Captivating and rollicking.”
i remember checking it out from the school library a few times. the story is about a little tiger, Leo, who seems to be a bit behind the rest of his little animal friends. an owl, an elephant, a snake, i think maybe like an alligator or crocodile or something, too. can’t remember. the story that unfolds is truly rollicking; Leo struggles learning to read, write, even speak on the same schedule as his other friends in the animal kingdom. the dad gets all bent out of shape, worrying that his young Leo will fall behind. when will he ever learn? will his tiger-child amount to anything but a meer zoo animal? Leo’s dad confronts his existential crisis by sitting on his recliner and watching some tv. the mom in the story is less concerned and knows that young cub will find his voice and way on his own perfect timing. Beautiful life lessons written in 1971 that still apply to this very day.
ok, you might not know my personality yet but i don’t take myself too seriously. energy, creativity, accountability and levity. those are pretty much how i try to lead in every facet of my life. with my family. at work. at tee-ball practice. at pick-up basketball. through mid-life crisis? sure.
What lesson could we pull from Kraus’ literary masterpiece? I suppose need to purchase a nice recliner and just keep watching tv until all my problems go away. However, I don’t have the best track record of finishing shows with my wife, and tend to fall asleep the minute I.. recline. I guess father time truly is undefeated.
Where am I going with this, and this blog in general? No clue. But after much feedback and encouragement from some highly respected friends, previous co-workers, counsellors, a therapist, my five-year-old son and even some rando I met at the driving range earlier this week.. maybe, just maybe, gathering my rambling thoughts into a singular space (for my own sanity) might just be the spark for my second bloom.
In the end, the mom was right. As most moms are. Leo found his voice. Dad found a riveting show to doze off to. And you found this terrible attempt at working through the biggest transition of my life. Thanks for being here.
-rob