Always Be Batman

When my oldest son was 12, he said he wanted to be Batman when he grew up.  We suggested he sign up for some theater classes in high school. 

"No," he said.  "I don't want to pretend to be Batman, I want to be Batman."

Ah, well that is different.  To be Batman, we reasoned, you should have been born into another family and then orphaned at a young age.  You would need to have witnessed a terrible crime to fuel your vigilante angst.  You likely should be growing up with a butler named Alfred, in a house with a huge basement. 

The same son also wanted to play basketball for the NBA, but - alas - he was only 6-feet tall.  When he began to face the early end of his basketball career (junior year in high school) he asked why we didn't make him play baseball. 

"You knew I was going to be a short white guy," he said.  "Why not put me in baseball?" 

Well, we defended, that would have required parents who, a) knew something about baseball, and b) had some sway over their son's choices. 

This boy, I should tell you, is about to finish his PhD in social psychology (and for all I know, that means he is Batman...!).  He is the super hero of many hearts, including that of the woman he is going to marry in August of this year.  And you know, I think she gets him. 

Here's the sound wisdom she posted on his Facebook wall today: 

Really.  Don't fight the truth.  Be who you are.   

Unless you can be Batman.

Always be Batman.

Now.  Back to work.