Thursday, March 25, 2021

"I'm So Proud of You"

 

Today as I scrolled through my emails as I do every morning while drinking my coffee I came across that one email that put a smile on my face and made my heart feel full.


From an old and very dear friend.


It was a sweet and funny email full of "remember that time . . ." ,   "remember when we . . ." .


And ended with "I am SO proud of you."


Apparently, the email was prompted by nothing more than wanting to reach out, share some sweet memories, some " I cannot believe we did that! " memories because we have, over the years, shared some fairly crazy/maybe not too smart adventures.  


Just a little virtual hug.


And very much appreciated.


It reminded me that I always want to be, hope to be, a friend who remembers to say "I'm so proud of you."  Who finds it easy to give compliments.


To be the person my mom and dad taught me to be.


They were always quick to let me know they were proud of me.  


It makes me enormously sad that I know people who grew up with parents who did not, for whatever reason, say those words.  Who weren't great in the nurturing department .


Maybe that's why some people don't reach out to tell others they're proud of them.  They just don't know how.


I miss my mom and dad, but I am grateful that they were who they were and raised me to be who I am.


And today I'm grateful to an old friend who took the time to reach out and let me know that I am valued.


And now I'm going to pass it along by giving Donald a big hug and saying "I'm so proud of you."


Because I am.  I hope I've remembered to tell him so over all these long, (mostly  😊 ) lovely years we've shared.









4 comments:

Lesa said...

That is wonderful, Kaye! Every time my mother says, "I'm so proud of you", I wonder who will say it when she's gone. My father cried once when he was proud, and Mom will say it. It does mean so much, doesn't it?

I'm not the one who wrote that, but I want you to know, Kaye, that I am proud of you.

Sending hugs and love!

Kaye Wilkinson Barley - Meanderings and Muses said...

It DOES, Lesa. And I just knew your parents were the type of parents to say and show you just how special you are.

I promise you will still have people to tell you they're proud of you. I promise.

I can name many, and I am always happy to tell you how very proud I am of you. Always.

Love you to the moon and back.

Kathy Reel said...

Remembering how proud my mother was of my academic and other achievements in school is such a comforting thing. I know my father was proud, but the academic awards weren't as meaningful to him as my mother. My mother was a teacher, and doing well in school was an important goal. Reading was also a worthy and fine pursuit in her eyes, so she made it easy for me to become a lover of books.

I try to remember to often tell my children and grandchildren how proud I am of them. It's a validation we all need.

Kaye Wilkinson Barley - Meanderings and Muses said...

Oh, Kathy, you are such a good mom. I have no doubt that your entire family glows with your nurturing. Sounds like you got that sweet trait from your own mom and dad.

Love you!!