Calvin’s graduation ceremony with the local homeschool group is on Thursday during mass. Each parent will get three minutes to honor their graduate and present a diploma.
Calvin is getting his diploma from his charter school later, so instead Mr. Pete and I are presenting him with a graduation ring. We are also going to read him a letter that I hope he will find memorable, moving and inspiring. This is what I have so far.
Dear Calvin,
I can’t believe that we are at the end of our shared educational adventure. It seems like only a short while ago I was preparing for your first day of kindergarten and agonizing over curriculum choices for you. As I look back on those first few years of homeschooling when it was just you and me for most of the day, I remember how much fun we truly had.
I remember how surprised you were when we read the story “Just A Minute Janet” about a mom who turned the tables on her procrastinating daughter. And how you laughed and laughed when you read in our Pathway Readers, that “Dad did something to Rover,” because you knew what Dad did!! Later I remember how much fun we had learning poems like Casey At the Bat, and how much fun we had with your brother Sam “clenching his teeth with hate” when he only had those little baby teeth and some of them were loose! And I remember the first time we read the poem, The Opportunity, about a prince in battle finding a broken sword another soldier had thrown away as trash
Then came the king’s son, wounded, sore bestead,
And weaponless, and saw the broken sword,
Hilt-buried in the dry and trodden sand,
And ran and snatched it, and with battle-shout
Lifted afresh, he hewed his enemy down,
And saved a great cause that heroic day.
You have always seemed to admire the underdog, the heroic, bravery in the face of immense odds. You always liked those types of stories and literature the best. I know that is why Father Damien touched you in such a deep way and I always thought that is why you chose that name for your confirmation.
In a way you certainly had your own share of struggles. Being the firstborn has its privileges but it has its burdens too. Dad and I fully recognize that you were our guinea pig kid and your siblings owe you a debt of gratitude for forging the road of our insecurities down for them. This is why Noah at age 10 can go to the Portage Path store with a friend, while you weren’t even allowed out of the yard at the same age!
And while we spent many many months working with Dr. Holinga, it never killed your love of books and a good story. I hope that is a gift that stays with you for the rest of your life.
You have a few other gifts that will serve you well too Calvin. I remember taking you to the McDonald’s play place when you were about four and Sam was a baby. You did not know any of the other kids there but you told me, “That’s okay mom, give me a couple of minutes and I’ll make friends.” And you did. You are truly a people person. Whatever call God makes on your life, I am pretty confident that it will involve the easy way you have in making people comfortable and in making new friends.
When your dad and I graduated from high school, both of our families sacrificed to be able to give us graduation rings as a momento. Over the decades while the details and memories of high school have faded, the love and memory of our families is still very real for us in this graduation rings. We know your charter school will have your diploma, so tonight we want to present you with a graduation ring from us, your parents. We hope that wherever you go and whatever you do in this life, that you will always remember that your parents, your grandma, your siblings and your extended family all loved you and supported you.
Your dad and I also thank you for making us better people. The Catholic Church teaches that children are a benefit to their parents. That’s hard to see sometimes when you’re changing messy diapers, teaching long division, or having arguments over a decent curfew. But as we stand here now we realize what a gift it has been to have you in our lives and we understand that we are better people because we had a chance to be your parents.
I remember our very first homeschool mass, where I had you carry your big pile of books up to be blessed for the school year! Besides watching you try to manage that big pile, I remember one of the readings from that mass, and I’d like to leave you with those words as a guide and advice as you start the rest of your life:
Sirach Chapter 6
3 My son, from your youth embrace discipline; thus will you find wisdom with graying hair.
19
As though plowing and sowing, draw close to her; then await her bountiful crops.
20
For in cultivating her you will labor but little, and soon you will eat of her fruits.
21
How irksome she is to the unruly! The fool cannot abide her.
22
She will be like a burdensome stone to test him, and he will not delay in casting her aside.
23
4 For discipline is like her name, she is not accessible to many.
24
Listen, my son, and heed my advice; refuse not my counsel.
25
Put your feet into her fetters, and your neck under her yoke.
26
Stoop your shoulders and carry her and be not irked at her bonds.
27
With all your soul draw close to her; with all your strength keep her ways.
28
Search her out, discover her; seek her and you will find her. Then when you have her, do not let her go;
29
Thus will you afterward find rest in her, and she will become your joy.
30
Her fetters will be your throne of majesty; her bonds, your purple cord.
31
5 You will wear her as your robe of glory, bear her as your splendid crown.
32
My son, if you wish, you can be taught; if you apply yourself, you will be shrewd.
33
If you are willing to listen, you will learn; if you give heed, you will be wise.
34
Frequent the company of the elders; whoever is wise, stay close to him.
35
Be eager to hear every godly discourse; let no wise saying escape you.
36
If you see a man of prudence, seek him out; let your feet wear away his doorstep!
37
Reflect on the precepts of the LORD, let his commandments be your constant meditation; Then he will enlighten your mind, and the wisdom you desire he will grant.
We Love you Calvin,
Now it’s one down, and five to go!
Mom and Dad
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