Biggest Fan

There are certain things they never tell you about when you are about to become a parent. Oh you hear about the dreaded two am feedings, the “Terrible Twos” and the horrors of the teen years. You may not really believe they can be that bad, but at least you’ve been warned. I may be going out on a limb here, but I’m willing to bet that you completely unaware of what the real “meat” of what parenting is all about. (Unless of course you have a child past a certain age.)

I’m trying really hard to think of a word that can properly describe this very important parenting skill. I think the best I can come up with is “fan”. Yep, you fledgling parent, are destined to become your child’s biggest fan. Think you can handle it?

It all starts off innocently enough.

“Look! The baby just smiled!” Everyone drops what they are doing and comes running to watch this precious child do it again.

“I swear that she did” you say after everyone has made themselves look like complete fools in a vain attempt to win some sort of smile from the little Imp. And so it goes…

Our girls used to have “shows” for us in the middle of the front room. We would have to move the coffee table and proclaim in our very best announcer voice;

“Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and girls of all ages…presenting the Most Incredible Sister Act in the World…Mimi and Kaitie!” (Woo woo clap clap) Then down the hall they would bound, ready to perform their latest talent. Our absolute attention was required, complete with enthusiastic applause at the end. (An end which never seemed to come!)

Soon we moved on to gymnastics and ballet recitals, dojos, softball diamonds, soccer fields and basketball courts. Then came the music halls and the good old school gym. We’ve been known to endure a couple of tedious hours watching other peoples kids just to see a few glorious moments of our own “oh so talented” children. (sometimes I just wanted to whack the people surrounding us that didn’t properly recognize our child’s special talents!)

I don’t think that we will ever lose our fierce pride in what we feel are our girls accomplishments. It doesn’t matter if we are watching those wonderful first steps or that triumphant first solo performance. We are just so proud of and always will continue to be our girls’ Biggest Fans.