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Community Corner

Milestones and the Moment

As parents, our kids' achievements make for some of our greatest memories.

While going about our daily routines, a thought or memory of our children can gently nudge that part of us that all too often forgets the little things. This week was ordinary, but the memories were extraordinary.

I am one of those moms who submits contest entries with the deliberate intent of winning. I just know I am going to be the next million dollar winner. I am expecting someone on my doorstep with a giant cardboard check and two dozen roses any day now!

While completing a contest entry, I was asked to submit a photo of my child accomplishing their greatest achievement.

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One thing led to another. After spending far too much time trying to decide on which child and what greatest achievement, I came to the realization no matter how hard I tried, I could absolutely not make a decision.

Nope, it would definitely be an impossible thing to decide. Clearly, there were too many achievements to choose from, and what mother doesn’t want to toot the horns of her children and their accolades?

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During my feverish deliberation exacerbated by my sense of urgency to submit a timely winning entry, something else occurred to me. I am an obvious unsung overachieving mother who likes to live vicariously through her children’s accomplishments.

It could have taken me years of therapy to figure that one out, and yet somehow I managed to do it with one contest entry. Of course, I’m sure my children have had me pegged for sometime.

I’m not sure what would have given it away, the precision midnight mixing of ingredients for social studies relief maps, or intentionally letting the air out of my kid’s tires so they would be forced to practice changing a flat.

Apart from the major academic achievements like graduations and annual milestones such as birthdays, there have been others I would consider noteworthy as a parent.

There have been concerts, civic events, scout recognitions and sports achievements. There were speeches and talent shows and the gamut of events where you tell the person sitting next to you, “That’s my kid!” 

And though I cannot begin to count the science fairs and art competitions, I estimate they number in the hundreds. (Perhaps I am exaggerating a bit.)

In addition to the extracurricular activities, don’t even get me started on the standardized tests and driver’s license exams, with the gray hair to prove it.  

And, who could forget all of the little day to day successes that go without incident or acknowledgement? There have been term papers, report cards, skill’s tests, and I made it over-the-vault in P.E. today accomplishments.   

Once upon a time as a novice parent, I thought I would remember them all.

Today, they are but a fleeting blip of fading memories between keyboard strokes while completing a contest giveaway.

Somehow, the late night crisis for emergency poster board doesn’t matter anymore. The last minute deadlines and various other overdue projects are faint in my memory.

The anguish I have felt for my children’s pain and suffering for matters of the heart and boo boos too numerous to count have diminished with time.

Amidst it all, in my thoughts lay the sweetest of memories.

The memories of my children passing every little milestone with the anticipation and excitement that each one deserves.

I ponder the amazement that is parenthood. I give thought to the successes of my children and think about the many challenges to come and the milestones they have yet to achieve.  

In spite of everything, when it comes to the milestones, it’s the love you give your children that matters and the pride you feel for their success no matter how great or small.

My heart is filled with joy for the memories they have given me, the ability to stop and reflect, and the privilege to be called Mom.

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