Do you remember what it felt like when you were a child and made your parents proud? I remember when I was in the first grade and won the spelling bee which meant I won a five foot tall stuffed Snoopy animal our teacher had brought in as motivation for all of us. My classmate, the runner up, cried hysterically because she had dreamed of winning this prize. I was so moved by her emotion that I gave her the stuffed Snoopy. By the time I had arrived home on the school bus my teacher had phoned my parents and informed them of the events of the day. That is the last time I remember my parents telling me how proud they were of me. I felt great on that day, not because my hard work and studying had paid off but because my parents were truly proud of their daughter.
I became a single parent at the age of 25. I raised and supported two beautiful daughters on my own. I bought a home and gave of myself to community organizations for more than a dozen years. It was not until I began my Adult Accelerated Degree Program at Granite State College that my parents again expressed pride in me. Let me tell you, it feels even better at the age of 40 to make your parents proud than it did at the age of 7.
Do you know what is even more gratifying than hearing your aging parents tell you they are proud of you? It is hearing your child tell you how proud they are of you. I received a flower delivery at work; I had not received flowers since the birth of my children some 18 years ago. I opened the card and read,” I am so proud of you, Love Brittany.” I immediately called my daughter and asked what she was proud of. I thought I may have won the lottery and did not realize it! She simply stated that she was proud of me for pursuing my adult college degree, working fulltime and still supporting her, her sister, the family dog and our home. This is the child that saw me as the Devil incarnate for some 5 + years! How wonderful is that?
Last year I was inducted into the Honor Society. My youngest daughter came to the ceremony out of obligation. She made it clear that she was put out by the fact that she had to get up as early as 10:00am and wear her “Sunday Best.” While at the event she sulked and complained that they did not serve any food that she liked.
Danielle was 18 years old and in her “dark” period. She dyed her hair black wore black clothes and refused to smile or say anything positive during her day. As each of the 30 of us adult college degree students being honored were called upon for pinning we were asked to say a few words. I had prepared a brief 30 second speech so I was comfortable doing so. As I walked back to my seat after speaking my daughter leaned in and said “you just owned this room!” If you need a translation from the “dark side” my daughter had just told me that she was proud of me. What an accomplishment that was.
I am middle aged and have the generation above me and below me both proud of me at the same time. Is there a better place to be in life?
I became a single parent at the age of 25. I raised and supported two beautiful daughters on my own. I bought a home and gave of myself to community organizations for more than a dozen years. It was not until I began my Adult Accelerated Degree Program at Granite State College that my parents again expressed pride in me. Let me tell you, it feels even better at the age of 40 to make your parents proud than it did at the age of 7.
Do you know what is even more gratifying than hearing your aging parents tell you they are proud of you? It is hearing your child tell you how proud they are of you. I received a flower delivery at work; I had not received flowers since the birth of my children some 18 years ago. I opened the card and read,” I am so proud of you, Love Brittany.” I immediately called my daughter and asked what she was proud of. I thought I may have won the lottery and did not realize it! She simply stated that she was proud of me for pursuing my adult college degree, working fulltime and still supporting her, her sister, the family dog and our home. This is the child that saw me as the Devil incarnate for some 5 + years! How wonderful is that?
Last year I was inducted into the Honor Society. My youngest daughter came to the ceremony out of obligation. She made it clear that she was put out by the fact that she had to get up as early as 10:00am and wear her “Sunday Best.” While at the event she sulked and complained that they did not serve any food that she liked.
Danielle was 18 years old and in her “dark” period. She dyed her hair black wore black clothes and refused to smile or say anything positive during her day. As each of the 30 of us adult college degree students being honored were called upon for pinning we were asked to say a few words. I had prepared a brief 30 second speech so I was comfortable doing so. As I walked back to my seat after speaking my daughter leaned in and said “you just owned this room!” If you need a translation from the “dark side” my daughter had just told me that she was proud of me. What an accomplishment that was.I am middle aged and have the generation above me and below me both proud of me at the same time. Is there a better place to be in life?
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