A few weeks ago, I had the honor of attending a state finals track meet where my friend’s son was competing. Witnessing him strive for a state title was an opportunity I simply couldn’t miss.
The atmosphere was electric as we watched race after race, eagerly anticipating his event. When it was finally his turn, we cheered passionately. When he crossed the finish line in first place, my eyes immediately shifted to his parents. His father was wiping away tears of joy, while his mother was practically jumping with excitement.
The first person he looked for? His parents in the stands. Their presence was unmistakable, and it struck me that this is where they’ve always been and will always be. It sent a shiver down my spine.
As parents, we have been cheering for our children since they hit their earliest milestones. From their first roll over to sitting up, crawling, walking, and riding a bike, we’ve always been in their corner. Every time they reached a new achievement, they looked to us for affirmation, eager to see our proud smiles.
But what about those moments when they fell short—when they struck out, stumbled off the balance beam, or came in last? Did they still search for us in the crowd? Absolutely. And we were there for them, cheering just as loudly.
My oldest son is graduating high school this month, and as he walks across that stage to receive his diploma, I’ll be there, cheering him on for this remarkable achievement. Yet, my role as his cheerleader is far from over.
With the days of sports games behind us, I’ll now be cheering from the sidelines of his life. I might not be in the bleachers or auditoriums, but my support will come through my prayers and good thoughts. It’s important for him to know I’m always there for him, no matter how old he gets or how far life takes him.
I’ll be by his side when he faces love’s heartbreak, urging him to move on because she wasn’t the right one. I’ll support him when a friend betrays his trust, cheering him to forgive and embrace the lesson. When his first job challenges him, I’ll be there to remind him that one setback doesn’t define his future.
During the tough times, when he encounters the darker sides of humanity, I’ll cheer him on to recognize the good. When his plans go awry, I’ll encourage him to keep his humor and have faith. On the day he walks out of a church as a married man, I’ll be there, cheering him to be the husband I know he can be.
As he finally grasps the dreams he’s worked so hard for, I’ll support him in managing the pressures that come with them, reminding him to savor his blessings. And when he holds his own baby for the first time, I’ll be cheering for him to cherish every moment of parenthood, encouraging him to embrace his role and learn to cheer for his own children from the sidelines of their lives.
And don’t forget, I’ll be right there in the stands with his dad, as part of the cheering section alongside the grandparents.
For more insights into parenting and family dynamics, check out this article on Modern Family Blog.
In summary, as your parent, I want you to know that my support will always be unwavering, no matter the circumstances you face. I’ll forever be your biggest cheerleader, celebrating every triumph and lifting you up through challenges.
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