It Mattered to One

YouTube Video: How to Raise Successful Children https://youtu.be/qk7qLOx2aPc

A few years back, a student of mine, Damian, had my age right. I actually thought I was a year older. Lol. Somehow, my lack of caring turned back time. I was and still, never into that number game of life. Keeping track of such things is just not me. However, having been blessed with moments to ponder in the last few years, I smile to fully understand the importance of time and opportunity, no matter who is watching or paying attention. Allow me to reminisce a moment in time.

I get to hit the gym at work. Frank, an incredible PE teacher and coach who has always reminded me that everyday is a “present”, placed all these inspiring articles and pictures of former students who have made marks in this world. Several of those articles happen to be of my own children. If I may divulge a secret, see it however you may, I don’t read back to those posts and articles. Why? I was there, having journeyed those moments, understanding first hand the remarkable milestones my dearest husband fearlessly broke through with immense focus and faith. The planning, doing, the struggles, the challenges, the setbacks, the bumping heads, the cloudy days where you had to go by faith and not by sight… they were all there along with the glory all saw within each end. Hence, once victorious, you just breathe and move forward. The thought is always, “What’s next?” On another wall, however, I hold an everlasting memory that is dearest to my heart.

I learned that one of my, at that time, student, Ethan, had been working hard to beat my oldest son’s pull-ups record that was hung-up in the fitness room. This student had been trying for some time and I know it meant everything to him to beat my son’s record. I knew no one else more to motivate Ethan than the one person who held that record. So, during his next visit home, I made the only natural request from my Division I college son- I asked him to come down to the weight room during Ethan’s class to help Ethan beat his record.

Ethan did beat that record, but with Ares right by his side. That record still stands strong up there today, with Ethan’s name, no longer Ares’. Ares has reached success beyond those of his peers from early on until now, and still going, adult years. Perhaps he felt a sting at the moment it hit him that his name would no longer hold the record on that wall as having had done the most pull-ups. No doubt he had worked hard to beat the former record as well. However, Ares has won countless challenges and has been granted a great path in life. I know no one will see Ares’ name up on that Pull-Ups chart anymore, but I do- every time. And I know that if Ethan ever comes back to look at his name, he will see Ares’, too. No other audience matters. This one humbling act Ares did was one I have placed a special spot in my heart. His decision to not just share his success, but help someone else get there, too, was impactful and priceless to one.

I have a sign on my classroom window facing out, “In the presence or absence of an audience, the greatest applause comes from within.” Life is not just about asking for what’s next, but who to help take your place as you pave greater paths. When you are able to help one rise, this is when applause from within should be pandemonium.

I am so incredibly blessed to stand by a man for almost three decades who demonstrates paving the road for others to the fullest along with our children who continue to make marks in this world for others to follow. I have come to embrace that I am not that ruddy mother duck whose little ones follow her wherever she goes. I am most definitely a mother eagle, the type that must believe in the strength of each child, pushing each out of the nest to know their own wings. Real love, after all, does not request love back no matter the silent ache to keep each within my wings. You break barriers in your twenties so you feel fulfilled in your thirties, smiling while moving forward with life in your forties.

I hope for all to motivate those around you to believe, to have faith that what maybe of small to you, is incredibly big if not biggest to someone else. No one needs to know your good works as long as your heart knows where it was in the cause. After all, I believe He is watching you, always.