A Proud Mom

Source: http://www.alibaba.com

I very rarely (or do I ever?) write about my kids’ achievements. Not because I’m not proud of them but because I feel it kind of belongs to just us. No offense, please… But today I just can’t keep not writing about it. I’m just so proud. Even more than usual.

Today was the first time both of my kids competed in Taekwondo. Although it’s always a thrill to watch my son fight I kind of feel used to it in a way. He did so many competitions already and knows what he has to do. And still it’s always different. I admire him for stepping on the mats, knowing that he will be kicked and that he will have to kick. I admire him for always fighting clean and fair, for giving everything ever single time. I admire him for being disappointed after a loss and still manage to smile at his opponent and tell him how well he fought. I admire him for smiling after winning without making his opponent feel bad about losing.

Today I admired him for many more reasons.

Today I admired him for being there for his little sister after his fights, looking after her, explaining everything to her, warming her up and being ready to coach her. Today I admired him for reacting the way he did after hearing that he cannot coach her and for finding her a great coach. Today I admire him for supporting her the way he did. What a great son and what a great big brother.

I admired my little daughter for managing the excitement and nervousness so well. I admire her for listening to her brother and to the people in charge so well. I admired her for her reaction when she heard that her brother wouldn’t be allowed to coach her. I admired her for stepping on the mat and fighting the way she did. I admired her for ending the fight going strong although she got hurt. I admired her for not giving up. I admired her and honestly also her opponent for hugging each other after the fight, for fighting a fair fight and for being the beautiful warriors they were and still are.

My son set an example 3 years ago when he fought his very first important competition. He got hurt back then and didn’t stop until the fight was over. My daughter did the same today.

As much as I want to run on the mat, hug my children and take them with me, protect them and make them feel better, I admire how they keep going. The strength they obviously have. I could have never done it. I remember how I wanted to go get my son back then, how I wanted to say to him that he should not keep competing because I just didn’t want him to get physically hurt and disappointed. I didn’t. Because I knew how much it meant to him.

Same today with my daughter. It’s probably the hardest feeling to stand there and watch your child get hurt and hear her cry and not being able to go in there and hug her…

She’s on her way home now with her dad, happy to have her first competition under her belt. Happy about having won a silver medal and happy about “finally” having the chance to use crutches…

Children are amazing and today I’m once more a very happy and a very proud mom…