I have spent much of the day reading stuff I have written on my blog, on facebook, and in my journals. When I came across this post on FB, I really wanted to share it.
I wrote it on November 26, 2011. It was to my son's football coaching team after the year end party. They had a separate awards ceremony for some of the kids that might not be awarded the 'high achievement' awards that were to be given out the next day. At this year end party, he called on each player and gave a brief sum up of what that player did for the team that year, and how they will be remembered. It was amazing and nothing short of ALL CLASS.
As moms, it is so easy for us to be proud of our kids. It is easy for us to tell them everyday that we love them and think they are something special. While our only hope is that after the many parenting successes and the oh so many parenting failures, at the end of the day, we raised kids that are respectful, kind, and all around good citizens. That we gave them the skills they need that made them want to contribute to society and the betterment of the world around them.
As moms we also know that there is no better indicator that we are on the right track than how our kids feel about themselves, their actions, and their behaviors. We know that no matter how proud we are of them, and how special we think they are, it means absolutely nothing if they can't see it for themselves.
Today, and throughout the season, Coach James, you and your coaching staff really reached their hearts. As each brother stood at your side today and heard the words the three of you had to say... Sure, they were happy that they pleased you, sure they were happy that you were proud of them... But each and everyone of them walked away bursting with pride in themselves. Each one of them walked away knowing, and believing all the things we, as their moms have known all along.
There is nothing that fills a moms heart with joy faster than witnessing that moment when her child sees for themselves the greatness that they are.
When you go to sleep tonight, please do so knowing that today, the three of you have made a HUGE impact.
They say it takes a village to raise a child. Thanks Coach James for being a part of our village.
The Football Moms.
My son has chosen to not play football this season, but the effect of Coach James and his coaching staff will live on in our lives forever.
Here is to the AMAZING coaches out there who are taking their jobs of teaching our kids the value of teamwork, camaraderie and being proud of their individual accomplishments very seriously. May they see how they are leaving their mark in the world through instilling pride in the hearts of, and putting a huge smile on the faces of our children.