We've just recently moved into a new home, which means lots of sorting, deleting, packing, and then unpacking of our years of accumulations.
Now that we are in an empty nest, we've downsized our home and changed geographies to meet our new lifestyle. It's a lot of work and very intimidating, but exhilarating at the same time.
We've been having moments of nostalgia as we sort through our possessions and outbursts of intense of laughter as we discover hidden gems from our years together and from raising our two kids.
Like the little note from my then-second grade son, thanking Christopher and me for always making him good school lunches.
Like the paper cut out self-portrait that my daughter made... we framed that one because we couldn't believe the quality coming from such a young age.
Like the paw print cast in cement of our little French Bulldog puppy who has since passed away.
"Memories, light the corners of my mind."
The best moment, however, came from a little blue ribbon blazed in gold with the words "18th Place." It was from my son's swim meet with he was 10 years old, and evidently he came in 18th place. I don't even remotely recall how many competitors there were in that race, but I sure hope it was more than 18!
We literally fell on the floor laughing with that one! 18th place! Why would you give a ribbon to someone who came in 18th place? I mean it's not 1st, 2nd, or 3rd. Back in my day those were the only winners.
Once we composed ourselves, we realized that our children are members of the #winning generation.
Everybody gets a blue ribbon with big bright gold lettering. In their generation, you get a reward just for showing up and trying.
You don't have to beat anybody to get recognized. How refreshing... how confident!
It struck me how differently I was raised, yet how quickly I embraced this mantra when raising my children. When I was growing up, you either won or you lost. And as my parents would always remind me, "just because you won this one doesn't mean you'll win the next."
With my children, we never spoke about beating anybody, because we always felt like everybody should win, in their own way.
I never cared if my kids were on winning sports teams. I just wanted them to try, and if they didn't like that particular then they were welcome to try something else. They both eventually fell into their own grove as a result, loving their own choice of sports and hobbies, after years of trial and error.
That was ok by me, isn't that what life is about?
Sure, there are critics who say we have raised a generation of young adults who expect to be praised at every turn. They expect to get the promotion before they're ready, they expect the accolades to come with every milestone, and they expect to be #winning at every turn.
Maybe. But that can be managed. I'd rather be dealing with confidence then with a lack of trying for fear of failure.
Is there ever really failure if you've given it your best shot?
"If at first you don't succeed, try try try again." Or try something else.
Or better yet, just be thrilled that you came in 18th place, with a blue ribbon and gold letters to prove it.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.