The other day I was writing a journal that has writing prompts that revolve around life. Favorite toy/ game during childhood, pet/ animals during childhood, favorite cousin/ sibling and the trait admired in your parent etc. One such was to write about a proud moment from my life.
While I am grateful and happy most times, proud I am usually not. However, there is one moment that happened about two years ago that stands out. It was to do with little A.
It was a sunny day in late Winter. It had been a particularly rough few days for me and a storm was brewing at home. I felt let down and disappointed with certain happenings. I remember feeling so mentally upset that I had taken the day off – this has never happened before or after (YET).
I remember spending the day at a local park, just watching people and taking long strolls, hoping that being outdoors and in the sun might lift my spirits. I even remember skipping food all day, again, not something I have ever done except this day. It seems clear now: I was heartbroken.
I picked up A from school and after giving her a snack, went back to the park with her (also has never happened ever!!). Now there were swarms of kids around the play areas and I remember being surprised at how many people bring kids to the park after school.
Little A, who was barely 4 then, started playing. She was moving on from one thing to the other – swing, slide, merry-go-round etc. She was clearly happier because of this unusual occurrence. About half-hour later, most kids were gone. Little A was on the merry-go-round and I was trying to push it along to make it go faster. A little boy who seemed a little older than A – came over to play in the merry-go-round. I stopped it and he got on. A minute or two into it, the boy screamed at me “hey, make it go faster”. I was taken aback by the tone and was trying to process it when I heard Little A respond immediately to the boy, “hey, you cannot yell at MY mom”. Her tone was stern and strong. Embarrassed or not, I am not sure, but the little boy left the play area right after.
That very moment Little A spoke for me, stands out in my mind because it was the boost I needed that day. I did not expect that from her. My heart became full and my eyes teared up, I felt proud of what my child did for me.
Stop. Breathe. Relax 