Mommy Moments

Last week my son was selected by lottery as one of 300 out of 6800 applicants to attend the final Presidential Debate, being held at his school, Hofstra University. This was something he really hoped to attend ever since it was announced last spring. I was very excited for him. A number of people wanted to know whether or not he was selected, so I sent an e-mail out letting everyone know. One response I received was from my dear friend Cordelia. Cordelia began her e-mail by saying, “Annette, I felt your “mommy moment.” And I thought, yes, that just what I feel, it’s a mommy moment!

For me, a mommy moment is a moment of intense joy I feel when my kids have something happen in their lives that is meaningful to them. It’s not necessarily because I am proud of them for an accomplishment, or that they did something that I wanted them to do, it’s just about them. Steven wanted the opportunity to be a part of an historic event that few people experience. The activity on campus with media and security alone that day was an event to be remembered. But on top of that he was able to be in the same room with the next President of the United States in what is being considered the most significant election in his lifetime, if not mine as well.

Other recent “Mommy Moments”

Mallory got the part she wanted in the school’s fall play. It a major lead role, her first. But more importantly, it was the role she really wanted. Even though she’s had smaller parts in other plays, when it was the part she really wanted, that was what was most important to her. What a great attitude!

A double: Steven had to work extra hard last spring semester to bring his grades up in order to keep his academic scholarship. He expected to get the grades to break even… instead, even a surprise to him, he got all A’s and A-‘s! And consequently he made Dean’s List. The mommy moment for me was his satisfaction in a job well done, as well as his surprise in how well he did. And then over the summer he received an invitation into an honor society for first year students. He was so surprised, it wasn’t anything he knew about, expected, or even applied for! It was an unexpected recognition of his efforts.

Mallory was nominated for “Miss Junior” at her high school last week. It’s the Homecoming Queen for 11^th graders. The top 8 vote getters in the class become the finalists. She was truly humbled to have been nominated by her peers. It wasn’t even a passing thought in her mind, and no one mentioned ahead of time that they would be voting for her.

The joy I get seeing my children come into their own is beyond expression. All you moms out there know what those moments feel like. When your kids are younger, the mommy moments can be as simple as the first time they win Candy Land to the day they learn to ride a bike. I’d be honored if you would send in your “Mommy Moments” to me via e-mail or comments and let me know if I can share them in another post.

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” James 1:17