A Mother's Pride

A Mother’s Pride

By K. George

Sandra Lee adjusted her son’s tie. She stood back to admire how sharp he looked in his brand new suit. “I couldn’t be more proud of my son,” she said happily.

“I couldn’t have done it without you mom,” Sandra’s oldest son, Carson, replied. Sandra nodded. She thought back twelve years ago when Carson came to her and told her he wanted to be a doctor. Sandra was shocked. Carson was eighteen then and knew what a stretch it would be to get him into college, much less medical school. Being a single mom with four kids, she already had it tough enough. After her husband had died when her youngest daughter was only eight months old, Sandra wasn’t sure how she would be able to send her son to college. She prayed about it, but there wasn’t a clear answer like she had hoped for. Carson had already applied for some medical schools. It took forever to get letters back from each school. Carson waited patiently, until one day he received a letter from Columbia University saying he had been accepted on a full scholarship. Sandra was overjoyed at the miracle. Carson knew it was a big deal that he had been accepted into such an amazing school, so he was determined to do his very best. He graduated among the top in his class. In his last year of medical school, at the age of 26, he got married to his friend and fellow classmate, Jennifer Owens. He completed his residency back home in Indiana. After graduation from his residency, he and Jennifer would move to North Carolina so he and Jennifer could join a practice. But for now, Sandra was admiring how far her son had come in the past twelve years.

“Mom, thank you for all your help,” Carson said, hugging his mom. Sandra smiled with tears in her eyes as she stood on her tiptoes to squeeze her son.

Jennifer came down the stairs with Sandra’s youngest daughter, Dixie. Jennifer had done Dixie’s hair and put some light blue flowers in it.

“Mama, don’t you love my hair? It matches my new dress!” twelve year-old Dixie exclaimed, twirling. Sandra smiled and dried her eyes. “You look lovely, my dear,” she told Dixie. “Thank you Jennifer.” Jennifer smiled and nodded. Just then, Carson’s sister Charlotte (who preferred to be called Charlie) and brother Liam burst through the front door.

“Happy graduation!” they both yelled. Charlie was holding a bouquet of blue and yellow flowers, and Liam was carrying a tray of specially decorated cupcakes from the nearby bakery. Charlie threw her arms around her big brother and handed him the bouquet. Liam set the cupcakes on the kitchen counter. Carson laughed.

“Thank you,” he replied.

“We have a surprise for you outside!” Liam blurted. “Oh?” Carson asked. Charlie shot Liam the evil eye. He sheepishly grinned at her. Sandra smiled.

“Well, we might as well go outside and look at it,” she said knowingly. The whole family went outside, and on the driveway in the place of Carson’s old green car was a brand new car. It was a sparkling silver color, and the leather was a smooth gray. He was shocked.

“You guys shouldn’t have,” he said tearfully. “Yes we should’ve,” Dixie responded. “We all pitched in, even me!”

“You’ve worked so hard, and we want you to look as professional as you’ve worked to be,” Jennifer said. Carson only nodded.

“Wanna go for a spin?” Liam asked, holding out the keys. Carson grinned. He got in the car and drove it down the street. Sandra, Dixie, Charlie, and Jennifer went back inside the house while Liam ran down the street, trying to keep up with the car.

“I feel so happy seeing him happy,” Charlie said. “Yeah!” Dixie agreed.

Once Carson got back, he and his family split up into two cars to go to the graduation ceremony. While Carson hurried into the building to join his class, Sandra, her children, and Jennifer headed inside the auditorium to find seats. Soon enough, the ceremony started. Sandra cried a little here and there, and even at one point Jennifer cried. Charlie was busy taking pictures on her camera. Afterwards, there was a graduation lunch with the whole group (Carson had completed his residency that year with only 27 other people). Sandra was enjoying herself as she chatted with other moms. She met two other single moms who had, by a miracle, been able to send their children to college. Sandra felt relieved; she felt like she wasn’t the only one who had gone through the same problems. Liam and Dixie enjoyed the buffet the most, and Charlie found herself in deep conversation with one of Carson’s classmates. Eventually people started to leave. It was starting to get a little late, and she wanted to get her family home in time for her home-cooked dinner. Faced with disappointment, her children shuffled to the cars. They struck up conversations about what they did. Jennifer talked to Sandra about what they were preparing for dinner. They pulled into the driveway, and Liam was the first out of the car. He hastily hurried up to the front door.

“Come on slowpokes!” he called to the rest of his family. His mom scrambled up to the porch to unlock the door. She went inside. Jennifer, Charlie, and Sandra started making the roast beef, green beans, and baked potatoes while Dixie and Liam made a blueberry pie. Carson tried to help, but his mom wouldn’t let him. Soon enough, Sandra was lugging a big pot full of roast beef over to the dining room table, with her children not far behind with the sides and dessert. The whole family gathered at the table. They sat down to eat. Carson smiled at his mom as he took a bite of the juicy roast beef. Sandra smiled back.

A year had passed, and Sandra missed Carson and Jennifer more than anything. She longed for a call from her son every day, but she knew that wouldn’t happen because he was busy with his new job. One day, Liam came in with the mail, saying, “Mom, there’s something in the mail for you!” She shot up from her desk, eagerly reaching for the envelope. She tore it open, and this is what it said:

Hi Mom!

I know you love reading letters. That’s why I sent you one. Sorry I haven’t called in a while. I’ve been really busy. But I now have an official title- Carson Lee, MD. I love you so much Mom! I wouldn’t be where I am if it weren’t for you!

Hope to see you soon!

Carson

Sandra teared up as she read the short but sweet letter. She knew her son had carved a little time out of his busy day to write this to her. She knew that she had to sacrifice much for him to get where he was at, but she knew it was all worth it.

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