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Mother’s Day reflection on high school graduate
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This Mother’s Day is intense for me. My life has been transformed in the past month due to many major family events.
First of all, my husband lost his mother last month. Florence Krieg was 80 and lived a great life, but we miss her dearly.
On the other hand, days after the funeral, my niece gave birth to Flo’s first great- grandchild. In addition, my sister was married days before the death.
Last but not least, my son Steven is graduating from high school in a few short weeks.
Lately, I have been thinking a lot about Steven’s graduation, and reflecting on his past, present, and future. I am so proud of his accomplishments and the person that he has become!
Let’s start with the future, which is bright. He has a full tuition scholarship to study Computer Science. In August, he will be packing up and moving away to Saginaw Valley State University.
I remind myself that he is lucky and happy with his future plans, and so are we. Also, the college is not very far away, so I expect him home frequently.
However, a mother can’t help but choke back tears as she arranges her child’s photos for his graduation party. One of my favorite songs has been going through my head constantly: “Is This the Little Boy at Play?” It can’t possibly be!!
It doesn’t help that my daughter is just a year behind my son, so she will be leaving soon, too. She plans to attend college much further away.
Lives transform drastically during these late teen years.
When children are very young, they are also transforming constantly: learning to talk, walk, read, etc.
Then there are the school years, when the changes are much more gradual. The kid may start a new school, make new friends, or discover a life passion. However, there is usually nothing drastic or sudden that changes their lives from the ages of about 5 through 16.
The drastic changes occur when they start driving, dating and working. Each of these changed Steven more than I expected.
The driving has made him more independent and social than I ever dreamed he would be. No longer do I tell him to “get off the computer and go out and do something.” Now I beg him to stay home and play his computer games. However, the car beckons and offers other opportunities. I laugh when I think of all the people who so righteously and knowingly warned us that homeschooling would damage his social skills.
Steven attended his school’s formal dance last night, and had a great time. His date was a sweet girl who has been his good friend for a long time. I won’t embarrass him by saying more, other than to say that he has excellent taste, and they are doing it right. .jpg)
We have many upcoming ceremonies related to his graduation. Steven is one of two in his graduating class at a very small school. Therefore, West Highland Christian Academy makes the ceremonies very special.
For example, the graduation ceremony will include many of the families in the K-12 school, as well as the teachers, school board members and alumni.
In addition, each senior can invite anyone they want. They will each know just about everyone at the ceremony, and they will each give a speech to the group assembled to cheer for them.
While most people snicker at the small size of the K-12 school, it has blessed us in many ways. Steven and others thrive academically due to the small classes, despite the fact that the school has very little materially. The small sports program has offered him opportunities to be both team captain and most valuable player.
In addition, the school has given us the flexibility to homeschool Steven part time. This unique “dual enrollment” program allowed us to enlist the school’s help while we tailored Steven’s education to his abilities.
West Highland Christian Academy’s staff is dedicated, and they are all happy to work together with families and parents. They regard their jobs as missions, as they earn about 25% of what local public school teachers earn. They also don’t receive any benefits, other than knowing they are making a difference.
The school also has many shortcomings. However, the bottom line is that it has helped shape Steven into who he is today. Who can argue with that?
Okay, I will stop rambling now. It’s Mother’s Day and I’m getting a little emotional.
However, you have to agree that despite the gloominess around us, the future of our youth can be bright.
Steven’s past, present, and future are as positive and exciting as a proud mother could hope them to be.
GO STEVEN!
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