Proud to be a Mom

When our four daughters were growing up, they gave Hubs and myself many reasons to be proud.  Hubs' pride was always understated because he's laid back like that.  On the other hand, my display of pride resembled a more-than-normal-puffed-up-feathers-out-long-neck-beak-up Peacock.  I suppose I should have been embarrassed by my blatant pride-filled display but I was not.  To be honest, why should I have been embarrassed?  I carried each of those babies for nine months AND birthed them.  I was entitled and I do not do anything half-way.

I shined that pride on the soccer field sidelines; at softball games; at dance and and band competitions; at chorus and orchestra performances; at the handing out of academic awards and college scholarships.  Shoot, I was prancing proudly all over this town.  "That's MY child out there winning everything."  "See that one right there, the one that just scored?  That's mine."  "See the beautiful blond center front?  My child."  "The one right there with the marvelous bravado?  MINE."  "The one that sounds just like an angel from Heaven?  MY daughter."  "Our girls?  Yes, we're four-for-four on attending college."  Yepper doodle.  I was THAT proud mom.

Funny thing, though, when your lovelies grow up, things change.  Oh, the pride is still there.  Yes indeed.  But since they've grown up, my pride is more in awe of the young adults that my girls have become.

Now, our lovelies are 26, 24, 22, and 19.  The oldest is married; the second is living it up in DC; the third one just graduated from college and is off to grad school; and the baby has just completed her sophomore year in college.  They are not little any more.  But the sense of pride that they instill within my heart of hearts is more than it ever was before.

It is at this point, when they have reached young adulthood, that I have discovered my true source of pride.  It's in the wonderful, independent, compassionate young women that they have grown up to be.  My pride swells when they share their joys and sorrows with one another and their deepest secrets; knowing that each one is there for each other.  My pride rises to new heights every time one of the lovelies shows her loyalty and gives her utmost support to a friend.  My pride surges when I see one of them rise to the occasion and point out an injustice.  My pride balloons every time one of my precious babes shows diligence and dedication to her work.  My pride overflows when one of them stands her ground when confronted and defends her ideas or someone in need.  My pride billows when my precious ones shed tears for those who are abused or neglected or hurt--both animal and human--and then rise up to fight such atrocities.  My feathers will even fan out in proud display when I see that my girls know how to laugh at themselves. 

Yes, I am a proud mother.  I have four of the most amazing daughters on the face of the earth.  And, yes, I still have the trophies and certificates and letters of acceptance still proudly displayed throughout our home.  But all of that pales in comparison to the pride I feel about the amazing adults they have become.


This is my entry to the Proud Mom's Contest.  Two proud moms will win $50!  The contest is sponsored by UPrinting event ticket printing services.