Mom as a leader

With much interest and a full heart have I read the recent messages
concerning being a parent and a scout leader. Ten years ago I started
with a group of nine little boys in a Tiger group. One was my own son.
Eight of them are now in my High Adventure post and have achieved the
rank of eagle - not all in my troop. At the latest Troop Court of Honor
I have the privilege of acknowledging their achievement in completing a
very strenuous trek through Philmont of which I was a part. During
these past ten years I have watched them grow from literally little kids
to very honorable young men. They have watched me grow through various
training such as Wood Badge and recently were present to see me called
out for Vigil. We have laughed and cried together through many crises
over the years. Was I embarrassed when, on the top of Tooth of Time at
Philmont, they asked for a group photograph with MAMA Long? Nope. I
have always given my son the option of me being at certain events or
not. The answer has always been yes. Through scouting, we have come to
a much deeper understanding of each other. I will not say it has always
been easy for either of us but I asked him today if he would have had it
any other way and he said no in no uncertain terms. We have travelled a
long road together. The Great Spirit gave me only one biological child
but Scouting has giving me many more that I would not trade any amount
of money for in the entire world.

I am not generally so verbose. :(

Barbara Butler-Long
Assistant Scoutmaster, Troop 100
Associate Adviser, Post 221
Bobwhite in Flight, SE 604 '92
Chapter Adviser, Muscogee Lodge
Netami-Ochquev (First Woman) '96
Muscogee Cook Team-Fabulously Feeding Foxes for Over 50 Years
Indian Waters Council
Columbia, South Carolina

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