A few weeks ago, we received a letter from Z’s school that he was a medalist candidate and would need to take the medalist test. I was over the moon proud of my little boy! But during the Recognition Day, his name wasn’t on the list of medalist awardees.
Beyond ecstatic!
I would be lying if I say that there wasn’t a rush of thoughts going through my head — we could’ve studied more; should I have set a no-gadget rule during school days; what happened?!
Why was getting an award important to me? Would it make me a better mom? Was it a tell-tale sign of what his future will be?
I think at this point, getting an award is more for the parents than it is for the child. School at this age should be about playing, making friends and just enjoying.
Then, the program started and I was enveloped in peace seeing Z in his purple long-sleeved polo singing and doing the actions. He’s come a long way from the first school day when he didn’t want to let me go to someone unfazed with being on stage with a lot of audience. Medalist or not, I know that Z did his very best! I rest with the thought that at least he qualified to be a medalist and he didn’t have a hard time coping the whole school year.
Getting his certificate from Bro. Vic and Principal Ramelle.
And then I came across this article and gave me a lot of insight. There are far more important traits to have than awards and medals. Grades will just be on the paper; being kind, compassionate and generous will be long-lasting.
Just yesterday we received a box of cookies and I told my kids that they can share 1 cookie. I broke the cookie in half and gave them their piece. Z then went on to break his piece and said “this is for you, Mom.” And my heart swelled.
Most of the time, it’s easy to focus on what your child is not, completely ignoring what he already is – the best version of who he’s supposed to be.
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