CREATIVE THINKING: Praise children when they make you proud

'Blake, we are so proud of you, your recent engagement and all your accomplishments," we told our son the other day. It was great to have the opportunity to say these words and to see the gleam in his eyes. What a gift! So many times we are cheated out of that chance.

I've always known my parents were proud of me. There is absolutely no doubt. But, after they are gone, there are still some special milestones in your life you want to share with them in person, but you can't. There is something so rewarding about experiencing your parents actually swelling with pride.

During the 2014 Christmas season, I wrote a column about a snowman I purchased that was created out of various propane gas tanks and other scrap metal welded together. It wasn't just a jolly snowman with rebar arms, a tin can hat and a socket for a pipe. It was much more special to me. My daddy worked in the propane gas business for most of his adult life. I grew up around propane tanks.

Late last summer, I received an email from a man who worked for a national propane magazine. He read my article on the Internet and was wondering if I would allow him to feature it in their upcoming Christmas issue. The absolute first thing that went through my mind was how much Daddy would have loved this. I emailed the man and gave him permission to use the article.

I couldn't wait to see a copy of the magazine. When the large envelope arrived, I ripped it open and was greeted by the snowman smiling back at me from the front cover. "Daddy would be so proud of me if he could see this magazine with my article featured in it!" I mumbled out loud as I held it in my hand and flipped to the page containing my column. I was sad to know he wouldn't.

Deep inside, I think Daddy had secretly hoped I would follow his footsteps into the world of propane. But, that was not to be. He was still very proud of the direction my career took. During the last 20 years, I've worked with several magazines and have appeared in many of them. I've even been in a couple of national publications. But, in this particular magazine, I felt like in some ways Daddy and I worked on it together.

I always tried to make both my parents proud. I couldn't bear seeing any form of disappointment in their eyes. I definitely made my share of mistakes growing up, but before I did anything questionable, my inner voice would say, "Mark, what would Mother and Daddy say if they knew about this?" To this day, I still ask myself this question.

As a small boy, I heard my mother often talk with pride about being a guest on the "Date with Del" show. Mother's one-time television experience meant so much to her ­-- as it did to me. I thought it was so cool that she had been on TV and was one proud little boy. I grew up, graduated from college, got married, had children and began my career as an artist in Macon.

At some point in my late 20s, Del Ward asked if I would decorate her set for Christmas. Mother was thrilled and so was I. Her son also made an appearance on the "Date with Del" show.

When I was 33 years old, my wonderful and supportive mother died. Ironically, the next year I found myself on the set of WMAZ's Weekend Mornin' as a guest. As that one guest session turned into many over more than the next decade, I can't begin to tell you how many times I picked up the phone to tell Mother what was coming up only to realize she wasn't there. Mother never got to see any of television appearances or read a single one of my columns in The Telegraph.

Although both of my parents have been gone for many years, I still miss talking in person with them. I know they are always with me, as are the lessons they taught me in my youth. I never doubted they were proud because they always showered me with praise when they were alive.

Praise is so important on many levels. It gives confidence so you can be your best and fuel to help you get there. Many times praise is absent in this cut-throat and sometimes negative world.

The words, "I'm so proud of you," are very powerful and should be used more often. Tell someone how proud of them you are this week. Who knows? You may ignite a flame that changes a life.

Mark Ballard's column runs each week in The Telegraph. Send your questions or comments to P.O. Box 4232, Macon, GA 31208; call 478-757-6877; email markballard@cox.net; follow him at instagram.com/markcreates; or become a subscriber to Mark's Facebook page.

This story was originally published January 30, 2016 at 8:13 PM with the headline "CREATIVE THINKING: Praise children when they make you proud ."