Some Days The Pride Is Almost Too Much

by Marinka on March 20, 2012

My kids are impressive.

No, not just because they’re my kids, although let’s be honest, that doesn’t hurt either.

When I look at their childhood resumes, they’re nothing to sneeze at. They’ve good piano players, my daughter has been on her school’s volleyball and basketball teams for years, my son is great at baseball. They are smart, they do well at school. There are report cards and teacher’s praises and book reports and recitals. They’ve overcome fear and pain and tested to the orange belt and beyond in karate.

Every day I feel so blessed to be their mother.

But there was a moment when I felt the pang of parental pride so acute that I was surprised it didn’t have a musical accompaniment. Like last fall when my son was having a hard time. He’s 10 and he remembered suddenly, at the end of the day, that it was the anniversary of my parents’ dog’s death. It hit him hard.  He didn’t know what to do with the tears– the dog died years ago, he hadn’t cried last year, after all, he may not have even realized the anniversary then, but this year he did, he remembered and it hurt.

“Come sit with me,” I called out to him, patting a spot on the sofa beside me.  He shook his head.  And headed into his sister’s room. I watched from a distance as he entered her room and at first she didn’t look up from her laptop. Something Rhiana-ish was playing on iTunes and she was fully absorbed.

“I-” he started and I saw her look up from the screen. Her face changed when she saw his tears, and she forgot about her laptop, muted the singing. “What is it?” she said, and ran to him.  She embraced him and sat him down and they talked.  And they cried, both of them, he because he was mourning one of the first deaths he had ever experienced and she because she shared his pain.  And in those minutes when they sat together, talking and sharing and comforting and eventually laughing, I felt pride stronger than any report card or medal could offer.  My children love each other, they support each other and they can cry together.

What else could a mother ask for?


This post was sponsored by Electrolux. The Electrolux Perfect Steam washer gets your clothes cleaner than any other washer, keeping kids looking their best, so parents can focus on the moments that count. Kelly Ripa and Electrolux want to know your proud parent moments. Visit facebook.com/Electrolux to share your BEST moments and enter for a chance to win a new laundry pair.

One year ago ...

0saves
If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment or subscribing to the RSS feed.

{ 22 comments… read them below or add one }

Jennifer Lee March 20, 2012 at 12:51 am

Love those rare moments.

Reply

Danielle March 20, 2012 at 12:57 am

What a wonderful post. I don’t blame you one bit for being so proud of them. Very sweet.

Reply

margaret March 20, 2012 at 1:03 am

Those moments are keepers!

Reply

tracy@sellabitmum
Twitter:
March 20, 2012 at 6:58 am

Yes this exactly. I want my kids to be there for each other. Always. A true gift is a sibling. xoxo

Reply

Always Home and Uncool
Twitter:
March 20, 2012 at 8:17 am

Never underestimate a boy’s feelings for a dog.

And moment’s like this make you wonder just where one went right in parenting.

Reply

Tinne from Tantrums and Tomatoes March 20, 2012 at 8:37 am

You are 100% right to be proud of them.

Reply

Dawn
Twitter:
March 20, 2012 at 9:28 am

It’s great when you can sit back and smile, isn’t it? It’s what I live for. Glad you have these moments, too, and thankful you shared. 🙂

Reply

dusty earth mother March 20, 2012 at 10:01 am

A lovely moment and so beautifully conveyed.

Reply

Megan March 20, 2012 at 11:08 am

That’s the kind of thing I don’t get to experience with just one child. But I get it when I watch my son will little kids. He’s so kind and patient with them it makes my heart swell.

Reply

Leslie March 20, 2012 at 12:34 pm

Damn, Marinka….making me cry and all. Geez.

Great stuff, though.

Reply

Mary March 20, 2012 at 12:53 pm

What I love is that your kids probably have great IQ’s as well as great EQ. You are also a great mother.

Reply

Marta
Twitter:
March 20, 2012 at 1:09 pm

That is absolutely adorable. At 5 and 18 months I feel like my kids are already heading down that path and it’s just too cute for words.

Also. I JUST bought an Electrolux washer & dryer and to think if I had gone a few more weeks without laundry I could have won one from you.

Reply

Amanda March 20, 2012 at 2:43 pm

Way to go, now I’m crying right after putting on my makeup for the day! That was so sweet and lovely though, they are great kids 🙂

Reply

Becky Rice
Twitter:
March 20, 2012 at 8:40 pm

I love the motherhood moments like this.

Reply

Steph March 20, 2012 at 10:51 pm

Thanks for putting into words what we feel as parents when our children show love for each other. What a powerful, touching post.

Reply

Bonnie B. March 20, 2012 at 11:26 pm

Marinka, I don’t think I’ve EVER commented on your blog before, though I read it faithfully because I love it. But this one KILLED me. I smiled, I cried, I related. The BEST thing ever between my two girls (6 1/2 years apart) is the wonderful relationship and closeness they share. I couldn’t ask for anything more. What a gift that you got to witness that moment between them, and I love that you shared it with us.

Reply

Lady Jennie March 21, 2012 at 12:03 pm

I can’t believe this post was sponsored by Electrolux. 🙂

It was painfully sweet. You should be proud of those kids.

Reply

Wendi
Twitter:
March 21, 2012 at 2:37 pm

Lovely.

Reply

Deborah J March 21, 2012 at 6:55 pm

Lovely post, those ARE the moments.
I’m proud of mine too. Even though the teen said as she went out the door this morning, “Mum, you need to get a life.”
She has an Anatomy and Physiology exam and I may have said, “May the luck be ever in your favour.”

Reply

Maricris @ SittingAround March 22, 2012 at 2:40 am

That is so sweet! You’re right, what else can you ask for. 🙂

Reply

CSY March 22, 2012 at 1:40 pm

I have 3 and two of them fight like heathens! When darling daughter’s boyfriend broke up with her, AGAIN, Thing 2 went into her room and held her while she cried, he even shed a few tears himself. THEN he threatned to kick said boy’s butt…said boy is 4 years and MANY lbs heavier…Thing 2 was only 9. They didn’t fight for a while after that, which I was thankful for. Yes, having your children comfort each other makes a mothers heart warm…and tears sting her eyes.

Reply

Erin April 10, 2012 at 10:41 am

wow, that was awesome! your heart must be bursting with pride.

Reply

Previous post:

Next post: