Happy Birthday Dayan Archives - Cindy Goes Beyond

May 19, 2018

Dayan: A Citizen of the World

Today my eldest grandchild celebrated a birthday, turning 19 years old. I’ve written four previous birthday blog posts for Dayan. I wanted to do something a bit different this year.

As I thought about my grandson on the eve of his birthday, I expressed gratitude for what an amazing person he is. Dayan has taught me so much about life as I have observed how he relates to people, how well he embraces diversity and how big his world view is.

Suddenly two words popped into my mind…World Citizen. Was that a thing, I wondered? What is a world citizen? I looked up the phrase. I found that the term is a valid one, and it perfectly describes Dayan.

A world citizen is one who identifies with being a part of an emerging world community and whose actions contribute to building this community’s values and practices. A world citizen relates to all people generously and openly. He or she appreciates different cultures and languages and incorporates them into daily life.

That definition captures well Dayan’s way of perceiving the world. As I scrolled through some articles on global citizenship, I found one called “Four Ways to Be a World Citizen”. Dayan is already instinctively doing these things.

The article states, “To become a global citizen, you should have an open mind, educate yourself, get involved in your community, and travel when possible.”

Have an open mind.

• Learn about your heritage. It’s important to have a global mindset, without losing touch with your own unique heritage and the cultures that contributed to it.

• Inquire about others’ backgrounds, by talking to people in your own and other communities.

• Learn about equality and inequality, by reading history books and articles, listening to the news and to people’s stories. Everyone deserves healthcare, education, respect and justice when wronged, regardless of race, age, religion, identity and ancestry.

Dayan just recently did a DNA test, through Ancestry.com. His results give him a broad awareness of where his ancestors came from, how they lived, and when they migrated to the US. He is interested in learning about other people and cultures by asking questions and accepting people for who they are. He already understands about equality and inequality and seeks ways to support those who are not given equal rights and works to initiate change.

Educate Yourself

• Learn about current and past world events, and understand how past events have influenced the present.

• Discover the values of other cultures, especially those that are far removed from your own culture.

• Read as much as possible.

• Learn another language.

My grandson is my go to person when I have a question about world events, geography or different cultures. He knows, because he spends time reading and watching the news and learning from a variety of sources. He is that person who does extensive research on the internet, reading everything he can find about history, an event or a country.

Dayan just completed his first year at the University of Missouri, where he is an honor student with a double major…Political Science and Russian. He took Spanish in high school and chose Russian in college when his first choice had a waiting list. He’s discovered he loves Russian and he has some exciting possibilities coming up for studying abroad.

Get Involved

• Share and listen to stories, to learn more about different cultures and about what’s important to others.

• Support art, music and culture in your own community.

• Make new friends, in your community and in others. Thanks to social media, you can be friends with people around the world.

• Volunteer, supporting causes and organizations you believe in.

• Stand up for injustice.

Dayan has always been great at connecting with people. He’s just begun to get involved in other areas, lending his support and his voice to causes he feels passionately about. Injustice is something he strongly speaks out against and stands in opposition of.

Travel to Other Places

• Take a road trip. Start in your own community, your own area and your country and see new places and experience new things.

• Teach in other communities.

• Travel abroad.

This is the area Dayan is launching out into. He’s visited new places in the US…Chicago most recently. And last year about this time, we flew to Italy together, Dayan, his mom and me, for his first trip abroad. I know this is just the beginning for this world minded young man. He is eager to visit other countries, experience other cultures, and see how people live in other parts of the world.

One of my favorite photos from the Italy trip. Dayan wading in the Mediterranean.

After reading the article I referenced above, I can see that Dayan is, indeed, a citizen of the world. He thinks globally. And he has big dreams for the big world he inhabits.

At the end of his college freshman year, Dayan was honored to be elected as President of Mizzou’s Model United Nations and sworn in as Director of Inclusion, Equity and Diversity in one of the three main student governments at the university. I’m proud of him, for all that he is accomplishing and for all that he dares to do. And trust me, this young man dares greatly. I have no doubt that he will travel far and wide, in life and in the world.

Happy birthday Dayan. You are making a difference in the world, just by being you. I’m excited to see what you do, as a citizen of this magnificent world.

Venice, Italy.

May 20, 2017May 20, 2017

Dayan’s Milestone Day

A year ago, when my daughter Elissa found out Dayan’s graduation day would be on May 19, which is his birthday, I had two thoughts: That will be an easy date to remember. And the next year will go by so fast. I was correct on both counts. I never once wondered what day graduation would be. And the year flew by.

My grandson, my oldest grandchild, the boy who made me a grandmother and christened me with the name Yaya, reached this momentous day exactly on time actually. To his family, and especially his mother, it marked the completion of a year that was full of “lasts”. The last marching band performance, the last parade, the last competition and ceremony and award, the last time to walk to school, the last time to walk out of the Carl Junction High School, the last time to play the tuba that he has played for years.

One year old Dayan, experiencing bubbles for the first time. Meme by Elissa.

I thought about Dayan throughout this day, as he celebrated a birthday and prepared to graduate tonight, and the word “milestones” came to mind. A milestone is an event or action marking a significant change or stage in development. Dayan has had many of those mile markers in the last 18 years, signifiers of growth, times of deeper awareness, ahas that profoundly shaped his future.

It has been my pleasure to walk alongside him as he has journeyed, and witness those times when a “stone” was placed at a significant juncture. I’ve watched him as an intelligent, kind, compassionate boy who always knew the right encouraging words to share with people. I saw him as a young teenager stepping up to fully occupy his unique Dayan shaped space, gaining confidence in who he was and what his gifts and abilities were.

Photo by Elissa

These past two years, the milestones became defining ones as Dayan could say “This is me…this is not me. This is what I want to do…this is what I don’t want to do. This is the path I am choosing for my life…this is not the path for me…” with a surety that so inspired me. Along with common milestones like getting his driver’s license and a job, he had major shifts as he decided on a future career in politics and selected University of Missouri as the college he would attend this fall.

It is not a coincidence that Dayan experienced two momentous milestones on the same day. He turned 18 years old today and graduated from high school. Both signify leaving childhood behind and entering adulthood, dual doors closing and opening at the same time as a new adventure beckons.

Dayan, Elissa and Josh

This evening it was with great joy, and a host of other emotions, that I watched my grandson walk across the stage to receive his diploma. Family members surrounded me. We beamed and cheered and perhaps shed a few tears that this milestone had been reached. This boy has become a man. This child has reached the point of spreading his wings to see just how high and how far he can fly.

I am proud of this incredible young man. I am proud of my daughter, who has been an extraordinary momma to her son, fierce in her love and devotion to him, never failing to seek the best for her child and encouraging him to be all that he could be. And I am proud of my son-in-law, who came into Dayan’s life as a stepdad, but who has parented him with an open and generous heart.

When he was a toddler, Dayan and I began an ongoing series of stories that we affectionately called “The Continuing Adventures of Dayan and Yaya”. Those were fun and imaginative stories that we created. However, we have had many, many real life adventures, this boy and I. Spending time together, Dayan has helped me to see the world differently. He has helped me to see myself differently. He allows me to be fully myself. We laugh. We learn new things. We go places.

We have a big adventure coming up, a trip to Italy that Elissa is joining us on. And then soon, Dayan will set off on adventures of his own, going places I will not go, seeing things I will not see. Milestones stretch behind us, a map of times we’ve celebrated and events we’ve shared. The road stretches onward, full of possibilities and opportunities. There are exciting times ahead for him that he will memorialize, saying “Here…this time, this place, is important in my life.”

No matter where he is, no matter where I am…I’ll pause to celebrate those future achievements and milestones with him, whether in person or in my heart.

Happy birthday Dayan. Happy graduation day. Happy first day of the rest of your amazing life. Go forth. Be you. Be Light in the world. I love you!

Photo and composition by Elissa

May 19, 2016

Surrender 140: Happy Birthday Dayan

My oldest grandchild has a birthday today. Dayan’s last day of school yesterday was also his last day being 16. It seems fitting that he embarks on summer vacation as both a high school senior and a 17 year old. He has quite a year ahead. But the past year has been pretty amazing too.

Dayan accomplished much during his 16th year. As a high school junior with a busy schedule, he devoted his time to the activities that he most enjoyed. He continued in band, as a Section Leader, performing in marching band, Honor Band and the Wind Ensemble. I am always inspired after attending Dayan’s concerts.

Dayan and the Academic Bowl Team took their school to the state competition, for the first time ever. He also competed with the Debate Team. While these are fun extracurricular events for my intelligent grandson, they are also preparing him for the future, teaching him to think quickly, present an idea and speak well. Dayan completed his junior year with an induction into National Honor Society, as an officer.

The Academic Bowl Team

As soon as he got his drivers permit, Dayan became my chauffeur. Anytime we were together and needed to go somewhere, I handed over my keys. It was great practice for him, and he passed his driving test with ease, receiving his driver’s license. For me, I not only appreciated being a passenger, I valued the conversations we had as he confidently drove us around. Dayan is a great conversationalist and deeply insightful. So often he knows just what to say to me or how to offer a fresh perspective.

He passed the driving exam!

Dayan has been wonderful to accompany me on many of my adventures this past year, a willing companion for fun and experiencing new things. He introduced me to the British TV series, Doctor Who, and we spent many a pleasant afternoon getting me caught up through eight seasons of past episodes. I came to love this show about a Timelord and his companions. Even more, I enjoyed discussing the episodes with Dayan afterwards.

Together, we set the intention of meeting actors David Tennant or Matt Smith, who played the Tenth and Eleventh Doctors, respectively, should they ever attend a Comic Con in our area. In early April that intention became a reality, after an extraordinary series of synchronicities brought BOTH actors to Wizard Comic Con in St Louis, MO. What an amazing day, walking the convention floor, listening to panel discussions, getting photos and autographs, and meeting these two charming and gracious men. I will never forget that day or seeing the grin on Dayan’s face as he stood between the Doctors.

As much fun as I’ve had with my grandson, as much as I cherish our heart-felt discussions, the thing I have marveled at the most this past year with Dayan, is how much he has grown, in all areas of his life. I’ve watched the boy become a young man. He has learned so much about himself…who he is, what his gifts are and what paths into the world are open to him. Always drawn to geography, world history and world cultures, Dayan has turned his focus toward a career in politics, political analysis or being an ambassador. I fully anticipate that Dayan A. Reynolds will be a US or world leader. I look forward to visiting him in Washington DC someday, or further abroad.

Dayan is an awesome son and brother, grandson and cousin.

I looked up Dayan’s name, as I’ve been doing for other family members on their birthdays. I was astounded.

Dayan, you are strong in material matters, determined and stubborn. You have good business abilities. You are a good worker, steady and practical, a builder who takes responsibility well. These qualities may bring you a position of authority and power. You are a doer, down-to-earth, serious-minded, reliable, and self-disciplined and have good powers of concentration. You are bold, independent, inquisitive and interested in research. You know what you want and why you want it.

You desire to inspire and lead, to control other’s affairs. You are giving, courageous and bold, action oriented, energetic and strong willed. You want to make a difference in the world, and this attitude often attracts you to cultural interests, politics, social issues, and the cultivation of your creative talents.

These words SO capture who my grandson is. He does know what he wants and what his why is. He does desire to inspire and lead. He definitely will make a difference in the world, governed by courage and compassion, boldness and conviction.

He’s made a difference already, just by being his unique and authentic self. He makes a difference in my life and the lives of others. Happy birthday Dayan! I love you!