Warm glow over Africa

[bobleponge]

If anybody happens to notice that the Sudan area of Africa appears to be warmer than usual, it may well be a glow of fatherly pride thats heating the atmosphere.
My eldest, my son, had a period in his life where he did things he shouldnt have, took things internally that were no good for him and was generally a bit of a bad lad. Inherently a good kid, but for about 3 years was so far off the rails that there were times I seriously didnt think I would see him become an adult or a father (which he is to be this year).
So the phone call I had with him yesterday, when he told me that his footy team had won their semi final, and were through to the final of a local cup in his area, and will in fact be playing the final at the local Pro footy team stadium (Aldershot Town) was fantastic news for me. To know that my son, as captain of his team will lead his lads out to play in the final of a cup, when perhaps 5 years ago he was lying in a pool of his own bodily fluids in a ditch makes me well up with pride.
I'm proud of all my kids (as all parents are) but wanted to share this particular joyous news with as many people as I could.
Sorry for a huge chunk of self-indulgence, and thanks for letting me spout off.

[zazen999]

Aah Bob...you must be very proud.

My Step Daughter...is a tad spoilt. I'll be proud when she can use a knife and fork [she's 12 in April]. I've tried to teach her but mummy says it's ok to use her hands to eat. Well, that's ok then!!! I'm sure mummy doesn't, she just has other things to do instead of actually teaching her anything.

But seriously...my little bro actually left home and joined a circus...he was in Europe with them for ages and came home and went to uni doing oceanography [what's that all about then???]...he spent most of uni dj-ing and taking the aforementioned illegal and not good for the complexion substances from what I can make out.

Now he's married to a wonderful artistic lady, is a proud dad of 2 absolutely gorgeous and funny girls, has a house with some land, and jointly shares a holiday home in Tenby. And he can drive, which is something that I thought would never happen as his attention span as a child wouldn't have reached the end of this paragraph.

So, well done your lad...and he's less likely to have a mid life crisis if he's been there, done it, got the tissues.

[piskieinboots]

Sorry for a huge chunk of self-indulgence, and thanks for letting me spout off.

you have nothing whatsoever to say sorry for matey boy me laddo Your boy has turned himself back around to where you first thought he should be facing - enjoy your feeling of pride

[Rhona]

Gosh, that left me with a little lump in my throat. Lovely news, and the story behind it. As Piskie says, enjoy how wonderfully proud and happy you feel.

[lynda66]

see is just like i thought, kids that have been brung up proper, may go off the rails but eventually sense kicks in and they sort themselves out (still waiting for mine to go of the rails, he's so erm 'normal and square' dunno what went wrong there lol)

but you have every right to be proud, you did a good job, indulge away

[kirsty b]

Thats just great Bob. Its so nice to see them turn themselves around, you enjoy your glow

I'm really hoping that in a year or two I could say something similar about my stepson. Currently on bail/curfew, can't be @rsed to look for a job (still waiting for the job fairy to knock at the door and hand him one) but expects to live here rent free and not doing a stroke about the place to help either and wonders why peeps have stopped offering help/advice. I'm so fed up with him I'm frankly past caring.

[danmon_81]

Great post....bravo to your lad......
one little thing from a 27 year old lad with two brothers....i hope you tell your son all this....we may seem like hard nose little feckers but there's nothing nicer than hearing your old man tell you he's proud of ya!!

[scarey55]

I did wonder what that glow was Spout off as much as you want Bob, that's wonderful news.

see is just like i thought, kids that have been brung up proper, may go off the rails but eventually sense kicks in and they sort themselves out

I couldn't agree more with Lynda. You obviously gave him all the "tools" he needed to be a nice person - it just took him a bit of a while to come back around.

....i hope you tell your son all this....we may seem like hard nose little feckers but there's nothing nicer than hearing your old man tell you he's proud of ya!!

That's true too. I am sure that you do tell him Bob and whilst you're at it can you let him know from me that he seems to be doing really well

[FionaH]

Such a wonderful feeling when you see the miracle of a life turned around. Tis a wonder your not bawling your eyes out

[lainey lou]

That's great Bob, congratulations to you and your son.
You bask in your glow, rightly so!

[jackie j]

Thats just great Bob. Its so nice to see them turn themselves around, you enjoy your glow

I'm really hoping that in a year or two I could say something similar about my stepson. Currently on bail/curfew, can't be @rsed to look for a job (still waiting for the job fairy to knock at the door and hand him one) but expects to live here rent free and not doing a stroke about the place to help either and wonders why peeps have stopped offering help/advice. I'm so fed up with him I'm frankly past caring.

My 21 yearold son is very similar expcept the bail/curfew bit. Cant get a job cos he doesnt try, doesnt claim job seekers even though I took him to job centre, and because he has to make a phone call he cant be bothered. Its not how he was brought up, we have always worked hard, sometimes long hours to get what we have. His clothes are something to be desired. I did get his hair cut on t.v though. Good job he lives with his dad now, and I have three other ' normal sons '.

Well done Bobs sons for turning things around.

[SlugLobber]

Oh bless. You have every right to be proud, Bob!

[Nicos]

What a relief that he's doing so well!
I'm really pleased for you Bob!

[janeyo]

I can see the glow from here..... how lovely for you, well done bob's (big) boy

The parenting pays off in the end however far you think you may have done wrong things. Not saying you have, just that I know I worry that I am doing the right thing by my boys and just have to hope I am. I know what I mean anyway

[bobleponge]

Sorry (not that much actually) for bumping this thread again, but
he only bl*&dy won


Was I proud? Not much!!
Did I cry? Oh yes.