To My Kids: It’s Not About Winning. It’s About Giving It Your All. 

Like any loving mother, I’m incredibly proud of my children. I’m proud of their manners, their kind hearts, their willingness to share with other children and not act like jerks 99.7 percent of the time. I’m proud of their beauty—on the outside and the inside. I’m proud of their intelligent minds and sharp sense of humor.

In the midst of life’s ups and downs, I tell my kids — It’s not about winning. It’s about giving it your all.

I’m also proud of their talents. They both excel in different sports and have amazing (to me) artistic abilities. Natalie Ann is only in junior high, but she has a God-given talent for the piano. My mother, an incredibly talented pianist, showed Natalie a few chords when she was just a toddler in Pull-Ups, and she took to the keyboard like a duck to water. I never fail to think of my mother every time my girl sits on the piano bench. When she effortlessly plays some classical piece of music, tears of pride stream down my cheeks. 

Courtesy of Susannah B. Lewis

My sweet boy, too, is one of the brightest lights in my life. I love his sensitivity and empathy. I love how he worries about others and cares so deeply for his dogs. I love that he’s the kind kid, the accepting kid, the humble kid. I love the smile on his face when he catches a fish, aces a test, or storms down a basketball court without double dribbling. I love that he is mine. 

At this writing, our Annabeth is still just a cantaloupe in my womb (and the source of horrible heartburn), but I know she’ll bring me to tears with her acts of kindness and talent as well. I can’t wait to see all her accomplishments.


Susannah B. Lewis
Susannah B. Lewis
Susannah B. Lewis is a humorist, blogger for Whoa! Susannah, and freelance writer whose work has appeared in numerous publications. The author of Can’t Make This Stuff Up!, Lewis studied creative writing at Jackson State Community College and earned her bachelor's degree in business management from Bethel College. She lives in Medina, Tennessee, with her husband, Jason, their three children, and three dogs. Her latest book, How May I Offend You Today?: Rants and Revelations from a Not-So-Proper Southern Lady, releases nationwide October 20 , 2020.

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