| Any of you who read my blog can find me here.
http://emptynest-blog.blogspot.com/
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| Thirteen years ago (seems like 13 seconds) when Tyler was getting ready to start kindergarten, his teacher sent this to me. It still brings a tear to my eyes. Tyler has been blessed to have teachers like this.
Take My Son By The Hand
My son starts school tomorrow.
It’s all going to be strange and new to him for awhile and I wish you would sort of treat him gently.
You see, up to now, he’s been king of the roost.
He’s been boss of the backyard. I have always been around to repair his wounds, and I’ve always been handy to soothe his feelings.
But now.....things are going to be different.
This morning he is going to walk down the front steps, wave his hand, and start on his great adventure that will include wars and tragedy and sorrow.
To live his life in the world he has to live in, will require faith and love and courage.
So, teacher, I wish you would sort of take him by his young hand and teach him the things he will have to know.
Teach him... but gently - if you can. He will have to learn, I know, that not all men are just, that not all men are true.
Teach him that for every scoundrel, there is a hero, that afor every crooked politician there is a dedicated leader.
Teach him that for every enemy there is a friend.
Let him learn early that the bullies are the easiest to lick.
Teach him the wonders of books. Give him his quiet time to ponder the eternal mystery of birds in the sky, bees in the sun, and flowers on a green hill.
Teach him that it is far more honourable to fail than to cheat. Teach him to have faith in his own ideas, even if everyone tells him they are wrong.
Try to give my son the strength not to follow the crowd when everyone else is getting on the bandwagon. Tech him to listen to all men, but to filter all he hears on a screen of truth and to take only the good that comes through.
Teach him to sell his brawn and brains to the highest bidder but never to put a price tag on his heart and soul.
Teach him to close his ears to a howling mob, and to stand and fight if he thinks it’s right.
Teach him gently but don’t coddle him, because only the test of fire makes fine steel.
This is a big order, teacher, but see what you can do. He’s such a nice little fellow, my son.
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| School is over. I am no longer the mother of a high school student. Tyler is impatiently waiting for his marks which should be out sometime this week. He's worked really hard so I hope he has managed to reach the goal he has set form himself.
We went shopping on Saturday to start getting him ready for school. I can't believe that in two months we will have moved him into residence. I'm excited for him and dreading that day all at the same time.
Neil and I are going on a sailing vacation next week. We haven't sailed since we moved from the west coast so we are taking a course. It should be interesting. I'm looking forward to it although I'm a bit nervous trying to remember all of the boat parts and how to tie knots etc. |
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| It is the season. Had we stayed in B.C. Tyler's high school graduation would have been Friday night. I got to see pictures. The class was really tiny but all the kids looked spectacular.
Tyler's school doesn't have graduation - so for the second year in a row I don't get to see my kid graduate from high school. To say I'm bummed is an understatement. They will have a prom next month and an awards ceremony they call commencement in October for those kids who are able and choose to attend. No spiffy clothes or decorations though  . It's doubtful that Tyler will make it anyway since it would entail missing an entire day of school for him to make it back in time.
Oh well - in the grand scheme of life it won't matter that they never had a high school graduation I suppose. I never did question this practice because I get annoyed when people come from somewhere else and want things done "their" way. I have learned though that our Catholic high school has an awards night in May and a graduation in June. Even most of the Ontario people I know who went through this themselves wish there was a graduation ceremony now they are parents. |
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