My heart ached because of the obvious social injustice that permeates every aspect of our society but there was more. I realized that the story drew me in because -- if I’m being honest with myself -- I could genuinely relate to the motivation of those parents.

Why does grit matter? According to Angela’s extensive research, grit appears to be a strong predictor of life-long success and happiness -- perhaps more so than innate talent or IQ.  “Our potential is one thing,” she writes. “What we do with it is quite another.” As a parent, I appreciate this definition because it breaks down the ‘talent myth’ that seems to dominate our popular understanding of why people are able to accomplish their goals.

My mom was in charge and I text her, When’s a good time for pick up? Mom texted back, one hour. Five minutes later I receive another text, Make that 30 minutes, followed by NOW! I head over to find my daughter curled up on the couch weeping – big sad boo hoo tears rolling down her cheeks. Mom explains that cousin doesn’t want to share her new modeling clay – I hear a well-known refrain from across the room –

It’s too special.

Meanwhile, steady crying from Sonja. Now comes the tongue biting as I work to keep these thoughts from tumbling out my mouth: