Proud Emotion

I’m sure it comes as no surprise to say that I’m a crier. But it’s not all inclusive. I’m not one to shed tears at Hallmark commercials. I'm not a big fan of tear-jerker movies, and I don’t lose it at every wedding or funeral. However, when it comes down to classifying, I have to be put in that category. I’m just an emotional person and when something touches my heart or comes from my heart, I frequently get choked up. The assumption could be made that since I’m aware of this that I’d be prepared for it or that I’d embrace it, but I’m not and I don’t. I seem to never have tissues in my pocket or purse, and when I begin to get that lump in my throat, when my nose starts to burn and my eyes start to water, I tend to try and contain it, to hold it back. I can’t even imagine the faces I make in my attempts. Why I even try? I don’t know.

This past Thursday I had “A Mom Moment.” I was so overcome with pride that those tears were uncontainable. Our school system has a Student of the Month program. Two students from the highest grade at each school, elementary through high school, are chosen for this recognition. The two students’ names are on the marque for their particular school throughout the month, the students have a place to display items that represent them in a case at their school, are recognized in an assembly, featured in the newspaper and treated to lunch with their principal and superintendent, among others.

Our second child, our oldest son, has always been what I would describe as very intuitive. We’ve been told countless times from his teachers that he is very bright and quite intelligent. He’s always felt comfortable mingling with adults and expressing his thoughts. He wants to know the “why” and “how” of things. He is diligent, competitive, and confident. We’ve had several discussions with him about showing respect, because when he thinks he is right, he has been known to try and correct his teachers during lessons.

With this strong personality also comes a very sensitive and compassionate nature. Our son never has a problem speaking his mind or expressing his deep emotion. He gives and receives love with a kiss, a hug, a pat on the back. Finding his balance between his intellectual ability and acceptable behavior has been the challenge. Therefore, when we received the letter that said our child was chosen for Central Elementary Student of The Month, we were ecstatic. And he was honored with the award this past Thursday.

During the luncheon, our son’s principal read a little bit about him. His favorite subject, his favorite book, his favorite activity were among the topics, but what gripped my heart was what he wanted to be when he grew up. Mrs. Dotson said, “Jaron says he wants to be an engineer when he grows up because his Dad is an engineer.”

I should have just let the tears fall, but I tried to contain myself. So many times we tuck our kiddos into bed and feel like we just got through another day. They got to school in clean clothes, hopefully with their teeth brushed, we got the homework finished, dinner on the table, practice or games completed, showers, laundry, dishes, shoes collected, school notes signed, and kisses goodnight. We don’t always stop to think that our children might just want to be like us when they grow up.

The pride I had over my son was immense. He had achieved not only the academic acknowledgement but the recognition of his character. And in his moment, I was reminded of Titus 2:7, “And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching.”

In our everyday in and out lives, we are preaching the greatest message to the greatest generation- our children.