Proud

The word proud is an odd one.  We take pride in things we have had a hand in, a project coming to fruition, accomplishments like graduating from school, landing the perfect job, oh yes... and children.  Still... as soon as children are born, we have a hand in teaching them how to grow up, and make decisions, and find the world around them.  Still, my children have taught me how to be a better human being from the moment they came into the world.  I am proud of them for that.  I am prouder and prouder every moment.  Of course I am proud.  But admiration seems the next step after pride.  Maybe I will write about admiration tomorrow or the next day.

You must be proud,

They say,

Of your children.

They seem to know

They are part

Of a wider fuller world.

I am

Proud.

I could not be

Prouder.

The more I say the word

Proud

However

It takes on that narcissistic glow

As if I or my beloved

Were chief agents

Of this event.

Maybe it*s the Minnesota

In me.

Still

I am proud

Of the human beings

They are,

Of the fascinating beings

I have been able to watch

Grow:

From that knowing look

In their eyes

At birth,

To now,

To Infinity

And Beyond.