Pride

When my grandma was alive she always used the word pride/proud in the wrong context. She would say things like:

"I'm so proud you finished your lamb chops at dinner." or "I'm so proud you didn't have more babies. Four is enough for you."

And, really, she meant happy or glad. She was confused on how to use the word proud.

And, sometimes we shy away from saying we are proud or have pride in something because it may seem boastful or put others off. I mean, I know we all get sick of hearing certain parents wax long about all of the great (or ordinary) achievements of their children. We certainly don't want to be one of those types.

But, today I am having strong feelings of pride. Pride for the amazing fortitude and strength my first born has. When people first meet Cate they often comment to me about how she is such a mature, wise and driven person. And I completely agree. She is all those things and so much more. And then sometimes people congratulate us on how well we have raised her and developed her into this type of person. And, that is when I correct them. We take pretty much no credit for her and her achievements. We do not stand around with whistles and clipboards directing her every movement and managing each moment of her day. I don't check her homework. Actually, I don't even ask her if she has done her homework, or practiced the piano, or anything really. She does all she needs to, and more, on her own volition. She is super achievement oriented and Wes and I just sit back and watch. Sometimes I wonder if we are perhaps a hindrance rather than a help.

Achievement: Organizing time or resources that accomplish designed outcome or result.

Achievement means you have control of your life.

Isn't this what we ultimately want our children to develop? It is definitely what we are working on around here.


Cate mailed in a story she had written about a particularly challenging moment she had in school this year. A moment where she had to stand for what was right while all those around her (including her teacher) thought otherwise. It was a chance to test her integrity and commitment to the Lord.

Then she mailed it to the LDS newsroom to be possibly published in the New Era magazine. An international publication for LDS youth.

Wes and I had no idea she was even doing this.



And we came home from vacation to this letter addressed to her.






Including a letter congratulating her on their plans to publish her article in an upcoming issue.




We are so proud of her. She does and is so much more than I ever was at that age. I don't know how we got her (thank you God), but I know we'll keep her. And we will keep trying to learn from her because I'm pretty sure she is here to teach us so much.