Walking

[Darkling]

So I'm about to walk outside the hospital today after making sure my soldier made it to his appointment. On the way to the exit door I see this toddler walking up the hallway behind his mom. I could tell he was still new to the walking task as he was quite wobbley.

The one thing I noticed most though was the humongous smile on his face. I wondered why then I noticed how proud he looked. He was walking, a simple task for us. But for him, it was the greatest accomplishment on this planet. It made me think about how something so simple and unimportant to us (and sometimes an irritant because we have to walk almost everywhere) is so great for someone else.

Can anyone remember how proud you were when you first started walking? Reading? I know I can't. I miss the simple pleasures in life that the daily job has made a horrible experience at times. I don't look forward to walking around the hospital or walking from one building to the next carrying paperwork to give to someone else for my boss.

In any case, the biggest accomplishment I can actually remember from my childhood was when I rode a bike for the first time. I had tried to ride bikes before, none of them having training wheels. I was four years old living in Florida. My sister was at her friends house and she had left her bike outside. I went ahead and grabbed it, climbed onto the seat and gave myself a push. I started pedaling and was like 'Wow! I'm riding a bike! I need to show Dad.' So I make it to the house and I'm going to ride it up onto the lawn and run inside to tell him. Unfortunately the curb stopped me. The bike stayed on the road and I landed headfirst into the grass. Had a nice cut on my forehead I didn't know about until I got inside the house to announce I learned how to ride a bike. My mom freaked, dad laughed. After a few hours in the ER where we didn't need to be as it was a small cut that kept bleeding, I finally got home to show my dad I could ride a bike. My luck. The bike was stolen from us. My parents nor my sister grabbed it and put it back in the garage.

That's the earliest moment I can remember that I was really proud of myself for accomplishing. What is yours?

[Luise]

I loved watching all my kids reach milestones- just priceless.  I must admit I will find it harder when the kids go on a first date, etc.
I had a parent tell me that their son has a crush on my daughter- in a  parent/teacher interview...lol- for once I was speachless.

Well in my old age I am still making small steps in the world of technology- finally got myself a digital camera this week ...and today I successfully learned how to take photos- tomorrow- learn how to download and print.....and hopefully I will get the addons working for wow by the end of the year

[Jandris]

Being a parent & watching the kids learn & explore is tremendous, it gives you a new love of the everyday. Trying to decide on one favorite memory for me is hard as a kid there are so many firsts. The one that stands out the most concerns my abilities (or lack of) as an athlete. I was a so-so athlete but enjoyed playing softball. I was in a junior league with my town and we were in the playoffs. We were behind by one run, 2 outs, bottom of the last inning, one kid on first and I was up at bat. Well I hit my one & only homerun that year - I don't know who was more shocked - me  or everyone else. 

[Arcdelad]

i agree guys...it is really amazing to watch your kids go through that stuff...its like you get to live your childhood again...

nice post TB

[un4]

I'm the only one posting here who isn't a parent, lol.
I remember my first kiddie concert.  I was the only person on the stage who could remember the words or hold a tune, so this 30-kid bonanza turned into a solo.  I was so proud it hurt.

[Arcdelad]

I agree with you 100% TB...check out my younger son's amazing first few steps: