I was taken by surprise when tears started to well up in my eyes as I watched my son, Eric, graduate from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts. High school-age boys from his new troop were tying his new scarf around his neck, and it hit me that this is an honor I had always had in the past. It was the parents that helped usher their children to the next level. It occurred to me that this must be what a Bar Mitzvah is like – the realization that your little boy is growing up.
That realization hit home even more when Eric earned tenderfoot, second class, first class and Star honors. Two years ago, he was new to the troop and didn’t know how to fit in. He hung on me and was embarrassed when he was the only one to not earn a badge. Now he has earned some top honors and a slew of badges. Instead of telling me that he wasn’t going to plan on getting Eagle rank because it was hard to get, he’s now saying that he should be able to achieve that rank by the time he’s 15.
My 14-year-old suddenly has goals and confidence. I am one proud mom and his dad is beaming from ear to ear.
That realization hit home even more when Eric earned tenderfoot, second class, first class and Star honors. Two years ago, he was new to the troop and didn’t know how to fit in. He hung on me and was embarrassed when he was the only one to not earn a badge. Now he has earned some top honors and a slew of badges. Instead of telling me that he wasn’t going to plan on getting Eagle rank because it was hard to get, he’s now saying that he should be able to achieve that rank by the time he’s 15.
My 14-year-old suddenly has goals and confidence. I am one proud mom and his dad is beaming from ear to ear.
Boy Scouts is a great organization and the way Eric has grown is a perfect example. My son did not think he could cross over from cub scouts to boy scouts. Now he is an eagle scout and helping the younger scouts. I am a proud mom, too.
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