Being Proud Isn’t About Me—It’s About Who I’ve Inspired Others Become
Recently, I flew to Bali to celebrate my dear friend Mary’s birthday with my godsons and their family. The trip was short, but meaningful. And let’s face it—I’ll never say no to travel, especially when it means spending time with the people I love. Who knows how much time any of us truly have? No regrets, ever.
I arrived a day ahead of the gang and met them the next morning. They had a half-day tour planned, and honestly, I didn’t think I had it in me. My flight had landed late, and I was still catching up on rest. But the next morning, I took a chance and said yes.
Choosing Adventure Over Comfort
What’s life without a little risk, right? So I joined them for a full tour—8 a.m. to 6 p.m. We wandered through the lush rice terraces and stood in awe at the waterfalls in Ubud. The drizzle was light, just enough to make everything glisten. The kids swam and soaked up the day with carefree joy, and I soaked up the moment sitting by their side, bonding and gossiping with Mary, my dear friend for almost 30 years!
While they splashed around, I had my own small triumph. I brought out my milk and used a syringe as a funnel to feed myself through my PEG tube. There I was, in the middle of paradise, mastering the art of feeding myself in public. Not the full volume at once—small pours spaced out to avoid bloating. My little "meal kit" in tow, I cleaned the tube, held it like a champagne glass, and let gravity do its thing. And you know what? I felt alive. Prepared. Able. Still capable of eating, living, and adventuring on my own terms.
When Boys Become Men
Here’s something that really struck me: my godsons are growing up. To me, they’re still those mischievous little boys—but they’ve evolved. Emotionally. Mentally. Spiritually.
Each of them bought me a T-shirt—bright, bold, and proudly chosen for their gay godfather as Father's day gift. Alfonso, the eldest, tells his friends how special it feels to have a godfather like me. “No one else has this kind of love,” he says. The younger one isn’t as vocal, but he’s the encourager. “Don’t give up. Keep going,” he often tells me. And I listen.
What It Really Means to Be Proud
At 45, I’ve never really understood what it means to be proud. Honestly, it always sounded a bit egoistic. But this trip taught me otherwise.
Pride, I now realize, isn’t about personal glory. It’s about being a mirror, reflecting light into someone else’s life. It’s about inspiring others to grow, to love, to include, to care.
And when I received a handwritten card from my godsons—well, that was the moment. Not because of their grades or achievements. But because they told me how they embrace their gay friends at school. How they show kindness. How they choose compassion over judgment.
That’s when I felt it—true pride. Not in myself, but in who they’ve become.
In the End, It’s All About Love
Life isn’t about chasing trophies or checking boxes. It’s about showing up, being present, and planting seeds of love that grow in others.
If I’ve managed to infuse even a bit of goodness, inclusivity, and love into the hearts of those I care about, then I’ve already lived well.
And that, my friend, is something to be proud of—right alongside the impressive skill of single-handedly pouring milk on a bumpy road without spilling a drop.
Comments