The Apple of Their Eyes
May 5th was Harper's Kindergarten Music program. She had been excitedly talking
about it, practicing songs, and telling us all the details for months. One
set of grandparents attended. We pre-ordered the official school video to
show the other set of grandparents and cousins. This was THE event of the
year so far for Ms. Harper.
And,
it did not disappoint. The amount of energy, enthusiasm, and overall
cute-ness of 80ish kindergartners singing their hearts out was just too
much. We clapped and waved and laughed and gave "thumbs up" signs.
Harper is typically pretty reserved and leans on the shy side, but in this
program, she came to life! Her singing was strong. Her actions were
bold. Her smiles was wide. Afterward, she told me it was even
better than she imagined.
My
heart was bursting with happiness and pride.
Harper
and Rory do things big and small each day (well, most days) to make me
proud. They don't have to perform or demonstrate a new skill for me to
feel proud of them. Sometimes it's just a thoughtful, kind comment or a
though-provoking question. They teach me lessons every day and allow me
to feel every emotion under the sun; pride and wonder being two of them.
And,
they feel such pride in themselves. "Mommy look at this!" "Mommy,
guess what I can do?" I hear phrases like this all the time. Young
children are so eager to learn and so proud to share their accomplishments with
others.
Thinking
of their pride makes me wonder: when is the last time I felt proud of
something I did?
It
only took a flip through the photos on my phone to find something. A
couple of weeks ago, I completed a half-marathon. I say "completed"
because I did not run the entire thing. The Horsetooth Half Marathon in
Fort Collins is tough! Lots of ups and downs over the hills to the west
of our home. It was a gorgeous spring day and I had trained with an
inspiring group of friends. Given the hours I'd spent training in
February, March, and April, I felt so relieved to cross the finish line and get
my medal and free beer!! It is safe to say that 13.1 miles is a bit
beyond my comfort-zone.
After
the race, both Harper and Rory ( and Eric too) gave me big hugs and asked lots
of questions. 'Did you win?" (ummmm. no). "Who
won the race?" (ummmm, I don't know). "Why did you run so
far?" (good question!). "Did you get to eat snacks and
drink water?" (yes, water and gatorade). "Did you have to
go potty?" (again, yes).
They
seemed curious and pleased to be there at the chaotic, noisy finish.
Once
we got home, I looked at the photos both Eric and I took of the race. He
and some other dads and kids collaborated to amass quite the cheering squad,
complete with signs and noise-makers. The photos he took of us runners
running toward the kids is great. We are so excited to see them! I
took a couple of the kids holding signs and anxiously awaiting high-fives from
the moms in the group.
But
my favorite, is a pic Eric took of me in the last quarter-mile. I had
just stopped to give Harper and Rory quick mini-hugs and had started running
again. I look excited to finish the race.
And,
the look on Harper and Rory's faces is priceless to me. Here's the zoom
in.
The
looks of excitement and that's-my-mommy-pride fill my heart to overflow status.
I
signed up for this race to get outside, gain strength and endurance, and
socialize with my friends. I need those things to be a happy, healthy
Haley. And, I gained something else in the process. I realized that
my kids are capable of feeling proud of me for doing something that isn't even
connected to their ego-centric little selves.
As
parents, we give so much of our energy and so much of our selves to our
children. We tend to their needs, support their dreams, and celebrate
their accomplishments.
AND,
there is huge value in us parents challenging ourselves, getting out of our
comfort zones, and accomplishing a goal we set for ourselves. I feel
strongly that if we want our kids to be resilient, to think outside of
themselves, and develop healthy relationships, we have to be willing to
demonstrate that we are complex people. Even though being a mother is the
most important thing in the world to me. It's not the only important
thing in my world. I hope they will come to understand that, respect
that, and live that as well.
So,
when is the last time you made yourself proud? your kids proud? Or, for my
non-parent friends, when is the last time you made someone important to you
proud?
You
don't have to run a half-marathon. Just try something new and share that
experience with others. Feel the pride. Relish it. Share it.
Ready
- Set - Go!
