Safe Career for Ben

A couple of months ago Ben brought a DVD home from the library called "The Big Space Shuttle." It was part of an adventure series that taught kids about things like airplanes, aquariums, submarines, etc., and Ben really loved it. We started to play space shuttle and astronaut every day--Ben had a white oversized Canucks jersey he inherited from Tyler and Trevor, as well as a big white bicycle helmet he inherited from Sister Morsten. We made glittery stars to hang on the wall (so we could see them as we "flew" past) and rearranged the furniture to make our space shuttle. Ben started to say that he wanted to be an astronaut when he grew up, and I started thinking about how exciting that would be--for Ben have a Ph.D. and then go through the space program and travel through space ("The Big Space Shuttle" was quite thorough in explaining how to become an astronaut!). Then we went over to Grandma and Grandpa's house, and that was the end of the dream.

As most of you know, my dad does not like anything adventurous (you could think of him as kind of an extra-tall hobbit). He never really wanted anyone to leave home for any reason when we all lived there, and is still known to say, "Why don't you just stay here?" on the rare occassions when we are dropping our kids off for him and mom to look after. So, when Dad heard that Ben wanted to be an astronaut, he told him all of the terrible things that could happen to someone in outer space (all those science fiction shows he's watched over the years . . . Ben didn't have a chance!).

After that, Ben started saying, "I don't want to be an astronaut; it's too dan-ger-ous." I tried to explain that by the time he went into space he'd know what to do, and that most astronauts are FINE and live long, healthy lives--but there was no persuading him (my logic was no match for the vivid images Dad had painted of spacecrafts blowing up).

A couple of days later, Ben said, "I don't want to be an astronaut; it's too dan-ger-ous . . . I want to be a fire fighter!" I couldn't help but laugh, since fire fighting is one of the more obviously dangerous careers, but I just said, "That sounds like a very brave thing to be!" and went on with my day.

I told this story to Mom, and she reminded me that ANY profession can be dangerous. She brought up the office workers who died in New York City, and I started to think about it, too, and realized that no profession is really safe! You'd think teaching would be one of the safer careers, but EVERY DAY that I taught at BCIT I worried that a student would bring a gun to class (I even had nightmares about it). A landscaper like Jason could get hurt by power tools . . . and anyone driving to work is in danger of a car accident. Maybe Dad was right: we shouldn't leave the house! But then there are always earthquakes. . . .

As I was thinking about this, I heard my dad talking to Ben about becoming a doctor . . . and I thought that sounded pretty safe :) What do you think?