Name ONE thing of which you are most proud!

Have you ever been asked this question? It seems so simple when first introduced yet it gets more difficult the longer one thinks. Since I am only able to answer it one time it is even harder. There are so many things I’m proud of: my father for working hard with only an 8th grade education, my mother who raised five kids while my father worked on the road, my children for becoming independent, smart people. But how does one answer this question when give only one chance?

Perhaps I’m most proud that my husband and I helped each other go to college and launch independent careers on our own after getting married at age 19. What were we thinking?

Am I proud of the way my daughter put her career on hold, realizing it is more important to be an at-home mother of three children under the age of 2 ½ years right now?

Perhaps the thing I’m most proud of is my son who has no fear when challenged with new situations at work and home that would make me want to run and hide.

Or my other son who knew his work in Minneapolis was done and moved himself to New York where he is challenged every day in ways I’m only starting to understand.

Maybe it’s all of these, that when combined means we’ve all been taken permission from each other to seek adventure in the way that best works for each of us individually. No one ever told us we can’t, there was no one saying we shouldn’t, and even when things didn’t go as planned we were able to get back up and start again.

I suppose what I am most proud of is that we have all done these things separately and together. We have helped each other when needed and stayed apart when that was necessary too. It’s been a journey; it still is and I’m so happy I am a part of it.