Title: The Pride Cycle
"Sammie" Her father said taking a seat on the bed next to his crying daughter. She turned away from him. "Sammie, what's wrong"
Sam turned to her father, her red eyes glared at him in anger. "How could you ask that dad?" She turned back to her pillow.
"Is it because of what happened this after noon Sam?" Her father asked. He rubbed her back, trying to sooth her. She nodded into her pillow. "Sammie, let me explain"
"There's nothing to explain Dad, ever since mom died you've changed" She said sitting up. Her words hit him like a brick. He tried to let them pass him with out concern. he looked at his crying daughter once again.
"Sam, the reason I didn't realize your accomplishment is because." He thought for a moment. "Sam, I didn't clap because, each day people make those small accomplishments like you did, Sam if we just sat down and congratulated anyone who's ever done something, we'd never get anything done. It's not that I'm not proud Sam, it's not everyday your kid wins the 10th grade science fair. But Sam, you should know, that even if I didn't show it, I was proud. But Sam, you're destined to far greater things than make a diorama of space...Sam, you have big dreams, one day you'll live them, I know you will, but Sam, the day I'll really be proud of you, is the day you are truly happy." Her father kissed her tears stain cheek. He patted her on the back, got up, and he stepped to the door. Turning around and facing his little girl he said. "I hope you remember that someday Sam"
Sam lounged on a chair in the front yard, looking at her children play. Three beautiful children. She watched as they chased a golden lab across the yard. Her youngest toddled over to her. She picked up her baby and held him. She smiled down at the little boy. As the scene played out, she remembered what her father had said. Was she happy now? She looked across at the children playing on the lawn, her kids, her dog, her house, her picket fence. She let a sigh of contentment, she was happy. Her husband took the chair next to her. Kissing her briefly on the cheek. She smiled at him. Her husband, he had made this all possible. He saw the looks of utter happiness on his wife's face.
"Hey, Sam, what's going on?" Jack asked.
"Nothing Jack, just thinking" She said, she turned back to her kids.
"About?" He pushed.
"How happy I am" She said. And she thought that her father must be truly proud of her. She had gotten everything she wanted. Out of all she was recognized for, the Stargate program, becoming a General, ect. Being a mother was perhaps the most rewarding,
Jack smiled. "Why do you think about it now?"
"I don't know, I guess it's just my fathers memory." Sam said.
"Sam, it is fathers day, I don't blame you" Jack said. He leaned over and kissed his wife.
"I have him to thank for all this." Sam said.
Jack looked confused.
"He stopped me from making a huge mistake, stopped me from letting this opportunity pass me by" She said. "I guess you can never be proud of your self until you've made a difference in your own children's lives"
"The pride cycle" Jack asked.
Sam smiled. "more like a line Jack" As the two sat there and looked at their children, they could help but feel like they had made a difference in some one's life. Like Jacob himself was there, watching his grandchildren play.